Dr Michael Mosley 'fainting' theory as search deadline set amid heatwave in Greece

As Greek authorities set a tragic deadline in the hunt to find missing ITV celebrity doctor Michael Mosley, the local mayor has put forward a theory that the This Morning star could have fainted due to the current heatwave.

The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodoukas, where Dr Mosley vanished, pointed out that the star's trail would have been treacherous as temperatures hit 35C yesterday. He said if he hadn't been carrying water, the risk of dehydration and fainting would have been significantly higher, reports the Mirror.

Papakalodoukas also noted that the route is fraught with "very high cliffs" and rocky terrain. The search operation for Dr Mosley will continue for another five days, after which they may need to halt efforts unless they receive additional support from Greece or the UK, he told LBC.

The 67-year-old went missing during a hike from St Nicholas Beach to nearby Pedi Beach. He left around 1.30pm yesterday and his wife, Dr Clare Bailey, 62, raised the alarm when he hadn't return by 7.30pm.

Earlier, the mayor had mentioned that witnesses reported seeing the doctor chatting with locals in town following his coastal walk. Currently, helicopters, drones, dogs and several emergency responce crews are combing the area of the Dodecanese Island where he was last seen.

Local cops released a statement, translated from Greek, stating they were notified about the "disappearance of the British national on the island" on Wednesday.

A probe has been launched in an effort to locate him, with a search being conducted by the local Fire Brigade with the assistance of forces from the Hellenic Police, Civil Protection (a local and regional coordination agency), volunteers and a police dog. Technical means such as drones are also being utilised in the search.

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