crime
New search operation in the Maddie case ended after three days
A police search team is combing the banks of the Arade reservoir. photo
© Joao Matos/AP/dpa
The new search for Madeleine McCann has been called off. It is unclear whether the action, which took place at the request of the Federal Criminal Police Office, provided information on the whereabouts of the British girl.
The new search operation in the case of Madeleine McCann, who disappeared without a trace 16 years ago in southern Portugal, has ended after three days. The Portuguese police said the operation requested by the German investigators had been completed.
The tents that had been set up for the campaign at the Arade reservoir in the Algarve holiday region were dismantled, as cameras from the Portuguese news channel SIC Notícias and other media showed. In addition, machines were also taken away.
There was initially no official statement as to whether any clues could be found that could help clarify the mysterious disappearance of the little British girl. The new search in the Maddie case was started on Tuesday at the request of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). According to official information, police officers from Portugal, Germany and Great Britain took part in the action not far from the municipality of Silves.
The search area is around 50 kilometers north-east of the holiday resort of the seaside resort of Praia da Luz, from which Madeleine disappeared without a trace shortly before her fourth birthday on May 3, 2007. The public prosecutor’s office in Braunschweig is investigating the case against a German with a criminal record. Investigators are convinced that Christian B., who is now 46, kidnapped and killed the girl. But a body was never found. Authorities spokesman Hans Christian Wolters only told the German Press Agency that the action was based on “recent developments”.
As on the previous day, forest workers were again on duty on Thursday to remove vegetation, as the Portuguese state news agency Lusa reported and could also be seen on television pictures. So far, primarily soil samples have been collected for later analysis, the Portuguese state TV broadcaster RTP reported on Wednesday. In addition to dozens of vehicles and specialists, sniffer dogs and divers were also involved in the operation.