Police begin search for Madeleine McCann in Portugal as they search 'large' area just minutes from where she vanished
Authorities have spent the first day of the Madeleine McCann search scouring empty barns, dense shrub and unused wells near where the then-three-year-old British toddler disappeared while on holiday with her family more than 18 years ago.
Dozens of authorities, including German and Portuguese police and firefighters, were seen throughout Tuesday focusing on a private property in the southern region of Algarve in Portugal, just a few minutes drive from the holiday home Madeleine stayed at in 2007.
The main focus was on a dilapidated house and bushland.
Police - who described it as a "large" search area - have brought in ground-penetrating radars that can scan four to five metres below the surface to find any evidence.
Searchers, some wearing face masks and hard hats, could also be seen using shovels to dig up dirt and remove dense shrub in an area popular with dog walkers and hikers.
One British man who lives in the area was surprised at the search location.
"I know for a fact that they searched up here 20 years ago," he said to Sky News UK.
"I'm not sure what they're hoping to find, because even locals were searching."
A police officer said a "different place will be searched each day".
What triggered the fresh operation in the area is not exactly known, but it has been reported police in Germany asked officials in Portugal for access in April.
The search is set to continue until Thursday.
German investigators had named Christian Brueckner as a suspect.
He has lived in Portugal, including in the Praia da Luz area where the then-three-year-old was last seen, but he had never been charged. He has denied any involvement.
Brueckner is currently in jail for raping a 72-year-old woman.
The last time searches were carried out in relation to Madeleine was two years ago when investigators scoured a reservoir in Silves, not far from the Lagos region.
She was asleep in a room with her twin brothers at the Praia da Luz resort. Her parents Gerry and Kate McCann went to dinner and returned to find she had vanished.
They marked the 18-year disappearance in May, saying "the years appear to be passing even more quickly" and vowing to leave "no stone unturned" to find their child.
"No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day," they said in a statement.
"We continue to 'celebrate' her as the very beautiful and unique person she is.
"We miss her."
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