London Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell revealed that the force "continues to work with and support its colleagues in Portugal and Germany in their investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann".

The official thanked “the Judiciary Police and the Bundeskriminalamt” for allowing the British police “to be present while their work is taking place, so that they can inform Madeleine's family of any developments”.


Searches


Searches related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann 16 years ago began this morning at the Arade dam, in Silves, Faro district, involving dozens of agents.

The searches are being carried out by the Judiciary Police and accompanied by German and English authorities, following a European Investigation Decision addressed by the German authorities to Portugal.

The site was identified as being frequented by Christian Brueckner, who German investigators have been highlighting since 2020 as the main suspect in the disappearance and alleged murder of the British child.

Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday, when she was on holiday with her parents and siblings in Praia da Luz.

Christian Brueckner, 45, is serving time in Kiel (Germany) for another crime. He was also accused in October last year by the German court of three crimes of rape and two of sexual abuse of children in Portuguese territory, allegedly committed between 2000 and 2017.

The suspect has denied any involvement in the case.

The British police have maintained an open investigation since 2011, entitled “Operation Grange”, financed by the Ministry of the Interior and which has already cost around 13 million pounds (15 million euros with current exchange rates).