Madeleine McCann latest: Search resumes in Portugal after investigators drain well and focus on abandoned building
07:05:01
In pictures: Search teams work around ruins and well
Officers are searching over a vast area in southern Portugal, near to where Madeleine was reported missing.
Here are some of the images from part of their operation around a derelict building.
06:49:18
Search teams focus on one abandoned building - what officers have done so far
With no major updates yet from authorities in Portugal, it's not clear if officers have found anything of note yet.
What we do know is they have drained a well and cleared areas of dense vegetation near abandoned buildings in countryside a few miles from Praia da Luz.
German investigators joined Portuguese police officers and firefighters as teams used strimmers, shovels and chainsaws to clear undergrowth and debris around an abandoned building.
They also drained a well using a yellow hose.
About a dozen officers focused on one abandoned building where digging was taking place, while another cleared large rocks.
We also know investigators are planning to use radar equipment that can scan 15ft beneath the ground.
It's been variously reported that teams will look where trenches were dug near the resort at the time of Madeleine's disappearance.
06:40:28
Good morning
Welcome back to our live coverage.
Investigators are resuming their search in the Madeleine McCann case, with German and Portuguese officers scouring more than 20 plots of land.
Our team is set up near Praia da Luz - where the little girl went missing 18 years ago - and we'll bring you the latest here.
To catch up on the developments so far, tap on the video below...
17:00:01
We're pausing our coverage
That's all for our coverage of a new search for Madeleine McCann.
Police officers are focusing on more than 20 plots of land to the east of Praia da Luz, the Portuguese town where the three-year-old went missing in 2007.
Before we go, here's a summary of what you need to know:
Police are looking at the farmhouse where German suspect Christian B lived at the time, when he was a local handyman;
Investigators are looking for any evidence that Madeleine was brought to the area from the holiday apartment where her family were staying on holiday when she disappeared;
According to local media, they are looking at two wells and taking water out to see what they can find inside;
Officers are also using ground-penetrating radar equipment as they search the scrubland;
Officers blocked off parts of nearby Atalaia but have not said where they will be searching each day;
Searches will continue until at least Friday and areas have been cordoned off, with no-fly zones in place for drones.
Our correspondent Dan Whitehead has been at the scene of the search on the outskirts of Praia da Luz providing updates throughout the day.
You can watch back his report from the site in the video at the top of this page.
In an 80-second round-up, our correspondent Alice Porter takes us through what we know about the search here...
16:42:01
Eyewitness: Locals have their say on new police search - as big questions remain unanswered
By Dan Whitehead, correspondent near Praia da Luz
Dense shrubs, empty barns, disused wells and dirt tracks - the police here have got their work cut out if they're to find evidence relating to Madeleine's disappearance.
At 6am this morning, before police cordons were put up, we spoke with an officer - a balaclava covering his face - manning one of the forensic tents.
"It's a large area, a different place will be searched each day," he told me.
Gusty winds blow up dust on the dirt tracks.
The land is used by dog walkers and hikers - and is sparsely populated. But as the crow flies, it's only a mile or so from where the three-year-old was last seen while on holiday with her family in Praia de Luz in 2007.
As we stood by the police van, out for his morning run was Tony Gallagher, a Briton who has lived within this new search area for 20 years.
He remembers when it all happened: "I know for a fact that they searched up here 20 years ago. I'm not sure what they're hoping to find, because even locals were searching."
It's one of the big unanswered questions: just what intelligence is this latest search based on? Has someone come forward?
"It feels strange, you know," Tony adds.
"I think it will be for the people in Praia da Luz… because it had a whole negative impact there 20 years ago in terms of business and tourists coming and everything. And I hope for the locals that doesn't happen again."
At 9am two vans and three cars arrived - all with German number plates. Inside, police, some in camouflage uniforms, ready to begin the search.
Police in Germany had asked officials in Portugal for access in April, so this has been weeks in the planning.
Madeleine's disappearance is one of the most high-profile missing-person investigations in the world.
It's why every new search brings the world's media.
At one point, more than 20 journalists were broadcasting live alongside us, lining the road opposite the police.
While this new search brings fresh hope, journalists, and more importantly Kate and Gerry McCann, have been here before, many times.
Around two years ago a dam 45 minutes from here was searched, but nothing found.
In May, on the anniversary of these tragic events, her parents said they will leave "no stone unturned" in the search for their daughter.
Eighteen years on, it is a poignant moment - Madeleine would have turned 22 last month.
16:30:01
In pictures: The story of the day as new search for McCann begins
We've been bringing you the latest pictures from the police search throughout the day.
Here's a look at how things developed - from officers closing roads to searching scrubland.
16:13:01
'Something substantial' must have led police to carry out search, missing persons expert says
"Something substantial" must have led the police to carry out this search, a missing persons expert has told Sky News.
Speaking to Kamali Melbourne, Charlie Hedges said the operation is "hugely expensive" and involves lots of resources.
"They've been able to justify the action by getting warrants from the Portuguese authorities, so there must be something substantial that has led them to look in this area," he explained.
"It is quite big, covering lots of different areas, but hopefully it will reveal something that will take us towards the conclusion of this case."
Hedges said it is certainly possible that officers could find something that was missed in previous searches.
"Technology has improved over time, they're reported to be using new a ground-penetrating radar which has improved in its efficiency over the years," he added.
"There may be information that points them in a slightly different direction to what they knew before."
Watch the full interview in the video below.
15:55:01
'Police have put this whole area in lockdown'
More from our correspondent Dan Whitehead, who is on the outskirts of Praia da Luz where the search is taking place.
"We've driven around to the cliff edges on both sides, and both of the sides have police cars there and they're not allowing the press any nearer," he explained.
"There is a no-fly zone as well for drones, so obviously police have put this whole area in lockdown."
Speaking about the teams behind the search, Whitehead said this is a joint operation between the Germans and Portuguese.
"At one point this morning we saw five vehicles, all with German number plates. They had driven over from Germany," he added.
"Inside we saw police officers, some in full camouflage gear. There are clearly specialist teams, with some reports they are using ground-penetrating radar equipment."
15:32:01
Everything you need to know about the Madeleine McCann searches
German and Portuguese search teams are scouring land between the Ocean Club holiday resort, where the McCanns stayed 18 years ago, and the cottage where suspect Christian B lived in Praia da Luz.
It's the latest in a long series of searches related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
For everything you need to know about the case in one place, click on the link below...
15:00:01
'Dense scrubland': Sky correspondent describes area police are searching
Our correspondent Dan Whitehead has been speaking live from the area where police are carrying out their search near Praia da Luz.
He's described the conditions that officers are working through.
"It is dense scrubland, there are outbuildings, old barns, there are building ruins and old wells," he explained.
"It is inhabited but very small-scale. There is a vineyard in there and a couple of houses.
"But generally speaking it is simply scrub and bushland."
If you missed Whitehead's live stream from the scene of the search, you can watch it back below.
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Daily Mirror
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside abandoned farm buildings where cops held new search for Madeleine McCann
A new search took place for Madeleine McCann near to where she disappeared in Praia da Luz in 2007 and images taken by the Mirror show inside the abandoned farm buildings where search teams scoured through thick scrubland and empty buildings. German and Portuguese investigators wound down the operation in Atalaia, near Lagos, Portugal, on Thursday, after three days of searching scrubland and abandoned structures. Their efforts focused on a 120-acre stretch of land, using equipment such as chainsaws, diggers and a ground-penetrating radar. The operation comes 18 years after three-year-old Madeleine disappeared from nearby Praia da Luz while on holiday with her family in 2007. But it was called off with no signs that the police had made any significant discoveries, although we will now have to wait to see what they have found. They spent the first two days of the search focusing on one particular derelict building, using ground-penetrating radar on the cobbled ground after clearing the area of debris and vegetation using a digger and chainsaws. Then on the final day personnel could be seen holding pitchforks as they combed stretches of land. Pick-axes and shovels were used to dig some of the undergrowth and a digger was again used to remove rubble from one of the abandoned structures at the site. German authorities requested the search as part of their continued attempts to source evidence to implicate prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who is in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005. He is due to be released from jail in September if no further charges are brought.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Read Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner's sick letter in full – including chilling ‘no body' gloat
A LETTER written by prime Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner has been exposed, with the sex fiend goading cops by saying: 'Is there a body? No, no no.' The German paedophile bragged in the bombshell letter that cops do not have the evidence to back their accusations against him in the Madeleine investigation. 12 12 He wrote: 'It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? 'Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos?" Brueckner - named as a Madeleine suspect for five years without charge — has also revealed a creepy knowledge in letters of how the German legal system works in his favour. He wrote: 'You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' Brueckner even claims the case against him is built on 'purchased witnesses' and reveals his awareness of his global notoriety. He wrote: 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing "And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no.' He adds: 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped.' In another letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner described how he used his drifter lifestyle to avoid detection. He wrote: 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police.' He added: 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'.' 12 12 He also whinges he has been framed so he can be scapegoated over the Madeleine case. He wrote: 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why.' And he adds: 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' The vile letters emerged as officers desperate to find a forensic link to him flew back to Germany after a new three-day search in Portugal this week. Scores of cops painstakingly combed scrubland near Praia da Luz with JCBs, radar and fingertip searches, believing the tot or her pyjamas could have been buried there. German prosecutors are convinced of Brueckner's guilt. It comes just weeks after a Sun investigation was broadcast on Channel 4 that revealed bombshell evidence found at the suspect's lair. The disturbing evidence demonstrated Brueckner's obsession with young kids. We revealed he wrote horrifying fantasies about abducting and abusing a blonde toddler — and how this would leave him 'in paradise'. He also boasted in online forums about his desire to 'capture something small and use it for days'. Brueckner remains in prison in Germany where he is serving a seven year term for rape. The 48-year-old convicted paedophile faces having his hopes of being released from jail in September scuppered after reportedly being accused of new offences against prison guards behind bars. 12 12 The latest search to find DNA or forensic links on the case appeared to have ended without success on Thursday. Police were seen taking fibres by hand while a hole was dug at the site of an apparent tent from around the time of Madeleine's disappearance. However, it was unclear whether the search had found anything with enough potential value to the case to be sent back to Germany for testing. Brueckner had already moved out of his cottage in Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leics, arrived with parents Gerry and Kate and her two-year-old twin siblings. He was living in his car, or wild camping in areas including this week's search site. Brueckner's letters "It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? 'Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? 'And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no. 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped. "You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'. 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police. 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'. 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why. 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' The seeming failure of longshot searches for any traces of Madeleine this week is the latest in a string of blows for the case. German authorities who maintain Madeleine is dead are racing to find a way to keep highly dangerous Brueckner behind bars after he was cleared of rape claims last year. He told this week he plans to 'hide' when he is released, as soon as September 17, taking hopes for the Madeleine case with him. The drifter was jailed in 2019, convicted of the 2005 rape of an American pensioner just streets from the Ocean Club, where the McCanns stayed in Praia da Luz. The Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed the existence of computer hard drives which were vital in to persuading investigators of Madeleine's death. Our findings placed Breuckner at key Madeleine search location the Arades Dam, in Portugal. And a document puts him at the location — where he allegedly said 'she did not scream' as he discussed her with an associate. In the online message where he brags to another sicko that he really wanted to 'capture something small' he adds it would not matter 'if the evidence is destroyed afterwards'. German investigators last night remained hopeful British police might rejoin the investigation as an active inquiry. 12 12 12
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Read Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner's sick letter in full – including chilling ‘no body' gloat
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LETTER written by prime Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner has been exposed, with the sex fiend goading cops by saying: 'Is there a body? No, no no.' The German paedophile bragged in the bombshell letter that cops do not have the evidence to back their accusations against him in the Madeleine investigation. 12 Christian Brueckner letter in which he brags about police never being able to pin the case on him 12 Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner arrives in court in Braunschweig, Germany last year Credit: Dan Charity 12 Madeleine McCann who has been missing since 2007 Credit: Alamy He wrote: 'It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? 'Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos?" Brueckner - named as a Madeleine suspect for five years without charge — has also revealed a creepy knowledge in letters of how the German legal system works in his favour. He wrote: 'You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' Brueckner even claims the case against him is built on 'purchased witnesses' and reveals his awareness of his global notoriety. He wrote: 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing "And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no.' He adds: 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped.' In another letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner described how he used his drifter lifestyle to avoid detection. He wrote: 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police.' He added: 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'.' 12 The vile letter emerged as officers desperate to find a forensic link to him flew back to Germany after a new three-day search in Portugal 12 German prosecutors are convinced of the predator's guilt 12 Police searching various sites in and around the resort of Praia da Luz Credit: Dan Charity 12 A criminal police investigator inspects an abandoned home in the fresh Madeleine search Credit: Reuters He also whinges he has been framed so he can be scapegoated over the Madeleine case. He wrote: 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why.' And he adds: 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' The vile letters emerged as officers desperate to find a forensic link to him flew back to Germany after a new three-day search in Portugal this week. Scores of cops painstakingly combed scrubland near Praia da Luz with JCBs, radar and fingertip searches, believing the tot or her pyjamas could have been buried there. German prosecutors are convinced of Brueckner's guilt. It comes just weeks after a Sun investigation was broadcast on Channel 4 that revealed bombshell evidence found at the suspect's lair. The disturbing evidence demonstrated Brueckner's obsession with young kids. We revealed he wrote horrifying fantasies about abducting and abusing a blonde toddler — and how this would leave him 'in paradise'. He also boasted in online forums about his desire to 'capture something small and use it for days'. Brueckner remains in prison in Germany where he is serving a seven year term for rape. The 48-year-old convicted paedophile faces having his hopes of being released from jail in September scuppered after reportedly being accused of new offences against prison guards behind bars. 12 A recent image of the barn 12 The barn in 2007 appearing to have a tent set up The latest search to find DNA or forensic links on the case appeared to have ended without success on Thursday. Police were seen taking fibres by hand while a hole was dug at the site of an apparent tent from around the time of Madeleine's disappearance. However, it was unclear whether the search had found anything with enough potential value to the case to be sent back to Germany for testing. Brueckner had already moved out of his cottage in Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leics, arrived with parents Gerry and Kate and her two-year-old twin siblings. He was living in his car, or wild camping in areas including this week's search site. Brueckner's letters "It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? 'Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? 'And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no. 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped. "You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'. 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police. 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'. 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why. 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' The seeming failure of longshot searches for any traces of Madeleine this week is the latest in a string of blows for the case. German authorities who maintain Madeleine is dead are racing to find a way to keep highly dangerous Brueckner behind bars after he was cleared of rape claims last year. He told this week he plans to 'hide' when he is released, as soon as September 17, taking hopes for the Madeleine case with him. The drifter was jailed in 2019, convicted of the 2005 rape of an American pensioner just streets from the Ocean Club, where the McCanns stayed in Praia da Luz. The Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed the existence of computer hard drives which were vital in to persuading investigators of Madeleine's death. Our findings placed Breuckner at key Madeleine search location the Arades Dam, in Portugal. And a document puts him at the location — where he allegedly said 'she did not scream' as he discussed her with an associate. In the online message where he brags to another sicko that he really wanted to 'capture something small' he adds it would not matter 'if the evidence is destroyed afterwards'. German investigators last night remained hopeful British police might rejoin the investigation as an active inquiry. 12 One of the derelict and abandoned properties close to Praia da Luz, Portugal Credit: PA 12 Police searching various sites in and around the resort Credit: Dan Charity
