Renewed Hope in Madeleine McCann Case: Fresh Searches Begin in Portugal

Fresh searches for Madeleine McCann begin in Portugal following requests from German police. The renewed investigation focuses on an area near a property linked to the main suspect, Christian Brueckner, who is currently imprisoned for sexual assault. Police hope to uncover evidence, even trace amounts, before Brueckner's release in three months. The search area includes scrubland and farmland near where Madeleine was last seen and a nearby cottage Brueckner rented. Fire crews are assisting by draining water from wells. An ITV News reporter describes the scene as 'a fairly busy walkway and path' that Madeleine's parents would have used in 2007. The Metropolitan Police are not directly involved but have offered assistance. The search is the first major one of its kind since 2023, when a nearby reservoir was investigated.