Malaysian Police say they are worried for the welfare of Nóra Quoirin, as the search for the missing Irish teenager continues.

The 15-year-old disappeared last Sunday from the Dusun Holiday Resort near Kuala Lumpur, where she was staying with her parents.

A Malaysian Police official told a press conference on Saturday: "We are very worried about [her] welfare - we don't know how long she can survive".

They also revealed they have questioned a taxi driver who took Nóra's family to the resort.

Homes of the resort staff have also been searched as part of the investigation.

Nora lives in London with her mother Meabh - who is from Belfast - and her French father Sebastien.

In a statement released on Friday, Nóra's family described the teenager as "fun, funny, and extremely loving" - but said she is "not independent and does not go anywhere alone".

Missing teenager Nóra Anne Quoirin | Image: Lucie Blackman Trust

They explained: "Nóra was born with Holoprosencephaly; this means that she has a smaller brain.

"All her life she has spent a lot of time in hospital. When she was born, she needed operations to help her breathing.

"Nóra has always needed dedicated specialist educational provision, and now attends a school for children and young people with learning and communication difficulties."

A Garda Liasion Officer has been sent to Kuala Lumpur to assist the Department of Foreign Affairs - which is currently providing consular assistance to the Quoirin family.

Meabh Quoirin addresses rescuers with her husband Sebastien standing behind her | Image: Facebook/Polis Negeri Sembilan

Earlier Nóra's mother Meabh thanked everyone involved in the operation.

"We want to say thank you to each and every one of you - we know you're searching night and day for Nóra.

"We see you working so hard and also praying with us, being with us.

"We know you have given up your time - especially at a special festival time - to be with us here, it means the world to us, and we are so grateful for everything that you are doing for us".

"We are extremely impressed with the effort, your expertise, your dedication.

"And we hope you find Nóra and thank you so much - terima kasih" [Malay term for 'thank you'].