The new search operation for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared without a trace 16 years ago in southern Portugal, ended after three days. The operation requested by the German investigators had been completed, the Portuguese Judiciary Police announced this Thursday afternoon.
The tents that had been set up for the campaign in the Arade reservoir, in the Algarve holiday region, were dismantled, as shown by the cameras of the Portuguese news channel SIC Notícias and other media. In addition, the machines were also withdrawn.
New clues?
So far, there has been no official statement on whether clues could be found that could help clear up the mysterious disappearance of the British girl. The new search in the “Maddie” case was launched on Tuesday at the request of the German Federal Criminal Police (BKA). According to official information, police officers from Portugal, Germany and Great Britain participated in the action not far from the municipality of Silves.
The search area is located around 50 kilometers northeast of the seaside resort of Praia da Luz, from where Madeleine disappeared without a trace shortly before her fourth birthday, on 3 May 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., now 46, kidnapped and killed the girl. But a body was never found.