Advertisement

Madeleine McCann disappearance: Police to search reservoir in Portugal

Madeleine was three-years-old when she went missing during a holiday in Praia Da Luz with her family
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

14.29 22 May 2023


Share this article


Madeleine McCann disappearance...

Madeleine McCann disappearance: Police to search reservoir in Portugal

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

14.29 22 May 2023


Share this article


It is understood police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are to carry out new searches of a reservoir in Portugal.

Officers will start work on Tuesday at the Arade dam, which is located about 50km from where the British toddler went missing in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, 16 years ago.

British police will also be present during the search, according to Portuguese media reports.

Advertisement

The investigation of the site reportedly comes at the request of German police - who announced in June 2020 that they believed Madeleine was dead and that suspect Christian B was likely responsible.

The convicted child abuser and drug dealer used to visit the reservoir, it is claimed.

Christian B is currently in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve region from where Madeleine went missing, but has not been charged with any crime related to the disappearance.

He has always denied involvement.

Kate and Gerry McCann are seen in Hamburg, Germany in September 2011. Kate and Gerry McCann are seen in Hamburg, Germany in September 2011. Picture by: dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo

A German court last month threw out additional rape and sexual offence charges against Christian B that were not linked to the McCann case.

He had been accused of three offences of aggravated rape and two offences of sexual abuse of children in Portugal between December 2000 and June 2017.

However the court in Braunschweig ruled it had no jurisdiction in the case.

Lawyer Friedrich Fulscher said the decision meant court authorities could not have jurisdiction over any potential case about Madeleine either. The court did not comment on his claim.

Madeleine was three-years-old when she went missing during a holiday in Praia Da Luz with her family.

Last year, on the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, Madeleine's parents said it was "essential" to learn the truth of what happened to their daughter.

Kate and Gerry McCann also marked Madeleine's 20th birthday in February, with a vow that they would "never give up" the search for her.

Reporting by: IRN

Main image: Candles are placed next to a photo of Madeleine McCann inside the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz in Praia Da Luz, Portugal on the anniversary of her disappearance in 2017. Picture by: Steve Parsons/PA Archive/PA Images

Share this article


Read more about

Arade Dam Christian B Madeleine McCann Portugal Praia Da Luz Reservoir

Most Popular