Chilean police are searching for the missing University of Warwick Professor.
Thomas Richard Marsh is a British Astrophysicist who was last seen on 6/7/2011 near La Silla Observatory, which lies just outside the Atacama desert. He was thought to have been there working.
The police have acknowledged that they have considered all options in the search for the missing 61-year old, who was a keen walker and is believed to be very familiar with the terrain of the mountains where he disappeared.
Marsh disappeared around 6am on Friday, and his personal items including his passport and clothes were reported to still be in the same room.
Because of the terrain’s nature, searches using drones or volunteers from local flight clubs are limited to daylight hours.
Thomas Richard Marsh (an astrophysicist from University of Warwick) was last seen near La Silla, an astronomical observatory on the outskirts of Atacama Desert, six days before he disappeared.
Chile PDI’s Police have drafted in criminal investigators to determine if the disappearance was accidental or linked to a crime.
The search also involves officers from Carabineros, the national law enforcement police.
Carlos Albornoz is the chief local PDI officer. He stated that: ‘Searches are underway on the ground, and interviews and statements will be taken.
“Other agencies are also involved in operation to as rapidly as possible establish where the person is.
“Nothing is being ruled and all avenues for inquiry remain open.”
Tasmin, the illustrator and bookseller Tasmin rosewell was a close friend of his child’s. She tweeted: “My friend’s dad, Professor Tom Marsh (Astrophysicist, University of Warwick) is missing from Observatory at La Silla Chile.
“La Serena” is his nearest village. He is 60 years of age, and his height is 192cm.
“Interpol/Chilean Authorities are looking abroad, and back at England.
Last Friday, Mr Marsh was seen at La Silla Observatory in Chile around 6am. All his personal items including his passport were reported to be unaltered in the nearby rental room.
According to reports, Mr Marsh was wearing jeans and grey shoes when he disappeared. His last known location was unknown.
All developments according to the local press are kept in touch with his family.
La Silla Observatory in Chile is home to three telescopes. It was built by the European Southern Observatory (an intergovernmental organisation of 16 countries for ground-based research astronomy), and it operates them.
It is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest observatory. It can be found approximately 95 miles north of Serena, at the Atacama Desert’s outskirts. This desert is one of the most remote and driest areas in the entire world.
MailOnline reached out for clarification to the University of Warwick as well as the UK Foreign Office.
This is an breaking news story. More to come…