Authorities from Portugal and Germany have initiated a renewed search concerning the mysterious disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who went missing almost two decades ago. On May 3, 2007, the then three-year-old Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment complex in Praia da Luz, located in the Algarve region of Portugal, sparking one of the most high-profile unsolved missing person cases worldwide.
On Monday, Portuguese police confirmed they were executing searches based on warrants issued by German prosecutors across 21 distinct plots of land. The ongoing search operation, which is taking place in the municipality of Lagos near Praia da Luz, is scheduled to continue until Friday.
On Tuesday, a Portuguese fire engine along with four vehicles carrying German police arrived at the designated search site, situated approximately 3.5 miles from the resort where Madeleine was last seen. Access roads leading to the area, which is predominantly characterized by scrubland, have been cordoned off to facilitate the operation. The focus of the day's search appears to be on a nearby dilapidated building.
Approximately 30 German police officers are expected to participate in the ongoing search efforts. Since 2020, German investigators have spearheaded the case after identifying Christian Brückner as their primary suspect. Currently, 48-year-old Brückner is serving a prison sentence in Germany for a separate crime involving the rape of a 72-year-old American tourist in Portugal in 2005. He is set to be released later this year.
German authorities suspect Brückner of murder in relation to Madeleine's disappearance, but they have yet to gather sufficient evidence to press charges. Brückner has consistently denied any involvement in the case. In addition, Portuguese law enforcement has also designated Brückner as a formal suspect, known as an arguido, indicating a serious level of suspicion.
Portuguese authorities have stated that they will share any evidence collected during this latest search with their German counterparts. The German police are operating under a European warrant, which has been sanctioned by Portuguese prosecutors, permitting them to conduct searches on private land.
The collaborative team of German and Portuguese investigators has been granted permission to search 21 plots of land located between the Ocean Club resort—where Madeleine disappeared—and the area where Brückner resided at the time. German authorities informed the BBC that ongoing criminal proceedings are currently taking place in Portugal, with the assistance of Portuguese police.
This fresh search comes two years after a previous operation focused on a nearby reservoir linked to Madeleine's last known whereabouts. Brückner, who lived in the area from 2000 to 2017, was discovered to have possessed photographs and videos depicting himself near the reservoir, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding him.
As the search unfolds, both Portuguese and German authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, with hopes that new evidence may finally bring resolution to this long-standing mystery.
