Madeleine McCann police use radar to search scrubland and abandoned shacks
Madeleine McCann police use radar to search scrubland and abandoned shacks
It's the third day of the latest search for the missing British three-year-old
Police officers at the scene close to Praia De Luz, Portugal, where searches are being carried out by officers investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann
(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved )
On the third day of renewed efforts, detectives are continuing their meticulous search in remote areas and derelict structures for clues linked to Madeleine McCann's disappearance. Joint teams of German and Portuguese police, supported by firefighters, are painstakingly searching for evidence nearly two decades after the British toddler vanished in 2007.
The focus of this week's search is on underdeveloped terrain roughly 3.5 miles from where Madeleine was last seen at Praia da Luz while she was on holiday with her family. Specialists have been spotted utilising ground-penetrating radar in the search.
Madeleine went missing under tragic circumstances having been asleep alongside her younger twin siblings as her parents dined with friends in a nearby restaurant.
While an "active police investigation" is ongoing Kate and Gerry McCann have chosen not to comment, according to the Find Madeleine Campaign. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Tents have been put up for the officers to use during the search activity (James Manning/PA)
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images )
Investigation teams on Wednesday could be seen clearing vegetation around abandoned buildings – donned in hardhats and facial masks – while heavy machinery was on hand to shift debris.
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The extensive search is spread across rustic fields and thicket-strewn land between the sea and the main road. The land is sparse but includes a vineyard and some abandoned buildings.
Reports suggest that the search may extend to previously dug trenches around the holiday resort encompassing inspections of wells, ruins, cisterns and potentially 21 specific plots of land.
The Mirror reports that German teams appear to be focusing their attention on two derelict farmhouses.
Officers were seen removing rubble from one of the buildings near the edge of a cliff and flying a drone over the property. They were then spotted "meticulously" running a radar machine back and forth across the floor.
Search teams use ground penetrating radar next to a derelict and abandoned property
(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved )
The search is being conducted at the request of the German federal police who are seeking evidence that could link prime suspect Christian Brueckner, currently incarcerated for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, to the toddler's famous disappearance.
Brueckner is set to be released from prison in September unless evidence can be gathered to bring additional charges against him.
In October Brueckner was acquitted by a German court of unrelated sexual offences alleged to have occurred in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.
Scrubland is cleared next to a derelict and abandoned property close to Praia De Luz
(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved )
Approximately 30 German police officers, including forensic experts, are part of the search alongside Portuguese counterparts. The operation is expected to continue until Friday.
The Metropolitan Police said they were informed about the operation but confirmed that British officers will not be involved.
German investigators and Portuguese officers last conducted searches in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir roughly 30 miles from Praia da Luz.
Graphic showing the new search area for Madeleine McCann
(Image: PA Graphics/Press Association Images )
Brueckner, who resided in the area between 2000 and 2017, had photographs and videos of himself near the reservoir.
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The site was previously searched in 2008 when Portuguese lawyer Marcos Aragao Correia funded specialist divers to scour it, following claims from criminal contacts that Madeleine's body was located there.
British police were subsequently granted permission to inspect scrubland close to where she disappeared in 2014.
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