New Searches for Missing Maddie McCann Begin in Portugal

LISBON, Portugal — Authorities in Portugal have launched a new search for Madeleine McCann, the British toddler who vanished nearly 18 years ago from a holiday resort. The searches are taking place in the Algarve region, specifically in the municipality of Lagos, where the child disappeared on May 3, 2007.

The 3-year-old McCann was last seen sleeping in her family’s vacation apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents dined with friends at a nearby restaurant. Her sudden disappearance has become one of the most high-profile missing person cases in history.

This latest search, which began on June 2 and is set to run until June 6, follows a request from German authorities. The Portuguese Judicial Police confirmed they are executing a European Investigation Order on behalf of the public prosecutor’s office in Braunschweig, Germany. They stated that a “broad range” of investigations, including search warrants, would take place in the area.

The main suspect in McCann’s case is Christian Brueckner, a German national currently serving time in Germany for unrelated crimes. Authorities suspect him of murder but have not formally charged him in connection to the McCann case. Brueckner has denied any involvement in her disappearance.

In the past, international investigators have pursued various leads, and searches have occurred intermittently since the child went missing. The last major search effort took place in 2023 near a dam and a reservoir about 50 kilometers from the resort.

Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, expressed their ongoing determination to find their daughter, marking the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month. They stressed the importance of continuing the search, stating their resolve has not wavered.

As investigations proceed, Portuguese authorities will hand over any evidence gathered during this latest search to Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office.