German, Portuguese Police Complete £300M Search for Madeleine McCann

A renewed multi-day search is underway in Praia da Luz, Portugal, focusing on land and abandoned properties connected to the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann 18 years ago. The search, led by German police with Portuguese cooperation, targets areas near the holiday resort and the former residence of prime suspect Christian Brueckner, who is currently imprisoned for a separate rape conviction and due for release soon. Investigators are using advanced equipment such as ground-penetrating radar to scan over 20 plots of land, including wells, ruins, and water tanks, in hopes of uncovering evidence linked to Madeleine's disappearance. New evidence discovered recently in Brueckner's home and fresh tip-offs have prompted this intensified effort, with authorities acknowledging the urgency as time runs out to bring further charges before Brueckner's potential release. However, some associates of Brueckner have expressed frustration with the investigation, claiming police should focus on other locations tied to the suspect. The Metropolitan Police have been informed but are not directly involved in the current search, which concluded its latest phase after several days of intensive work.