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Kate (54) and Gerry McCann (55) are still looking for answers. What happened to her daughter Maddie 16 years ago? The British girl disappeared on May 3, 2007, shortly before her fourth birthday, from her family’s home in a holiday resort on the southern coast of Portugal’s Algarve, while her parents were eating at a restaurant. Despite a large-scale international investigation and numerous appeals, the case was never cleared up. To this day, there is no trace of Maddie.
The researchers are not giving up. They suspect that the girl was kidnapped and murdered. However, no body was ever found. Now a reservoir comes into view.
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Why exactly this lake?
The Arade reservoir is located about 50 kilometers northeast of the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz. So the place where Maddie disappeared without a trace. And not only that: Christian B. was staying at the lake at the time. The German is an urgent suspect. He had a criminal record for sexual offenses and lived regularly in the Algarve from 1995 to 2007. But the researchers have so far lacked conclusive evidence.
This is exactly why the area around the lake should be thoroughly searched. Because: B. would have described the area as his “paradise” and as his “base”, a source told the British newspaper “The Sun”.
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When does the search start?
The search begins Tuesday and will last two to three days. It was requested by the German Federal Investigation Service (BKA). In addition to Portuguese and German officials, British police officers are said to be taking part in the new search.
The news channel SIC Noticias found that ten detectives and several firefighters had already cordoned off a large area on the edge of the Arade reservoir on Monday. In the area, which is considered a natural paradise, a command post has been set up in a tent to coordinate the search from there.
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How are the detectives?
As with previous operations, almost every stone must be turned over. “Most of it will take place on land,” the anonymous source continued. In addition, divers must search the reservoir. Not for the first time. The lake was already searched in 2008. However, at that time only the remains of animals were found. And some articles. Including a string, a plastic band and several white socks.
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Why are the researchers now hoping for new clues?
The pressure on the authorities is great, especially now that the German Christian B. has been designated as an urgent suspect. When the lake and the surrounding area were searched, the detectives did not target Christian B. and only sent a few divers because the parents were suspected at the time.
With the new knowledge, even now, after many years, more pieces of the puzzle could be discovered. Because not only the traces of B. lead to this area. Maddie was said to have been seen there two days after her disappearance. A lorry driver claims he saw a woman hand over a child to a man who looked like the little British girl.
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What do the German authorities say about the search?
The Germans keep a low profile. It is only known that BKA detectives will also be on site to search. The Braunschweig public prosecutor’s office is silent on whether there are new clues behind the search or what exactly the reason is.
The authority only reports so much: “As part of the investigation into the Madeleine McCann case, criminal procedural measures are currently taking place in Portugal. The measures will be implemented through mutual legal assistance by the Portuguese law enforcement authorities with the support of Federal Criminal Investigation Officers.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
