Madeleine McCann police reservoir search ends after three days
Police scoured the Barragem do Arade, 40 minutes from where Maddie went missing, for three days but failed to find anything of substance.
Fresh searches for Madeleine McCann begin in Portugal
German and Portuguese police who scoured a reservoir in the search for Madeleine McCann have ceased their investigation after a fruitless three days. It was the third time the Barragem de Arade area had been searched since then three-year-old Madeleine went missing from the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz nearby on May 3, 2007. Police said the latest search “resulted in the collection of some material that will be … handed over to the German authorities” for testing.
The investigation was being led by the National Republican Guard (GNR) alongside German authorities after renewed interest in the suspect Christian Brueckner, who regularly frequented the reservoir during the time of Madeleine's disappearance, referring to it as his “little paradise”.
Police said the search "resulted in the collection of some material that will be subject to the competent expertise", and that it would "be handed over to the German authorities".
As police vans left the base camp of the Barragem de Arade area on Thursday, a source close to the investigation said there was “nothing to report” from the search.
German prosecutor Christian Wolters added: “Of course, there is a certain expectation, but it is not high.” It's not yet known if anything significant was found but a number of bags were taken away.
Forensics scouring the area have been looking for pink Winnie the Pooh 'Eeyore' pyjamas, it has been reported.
Water levels at the desolate location, described by cops' chief suspect in the case as his "little paradise", are currently very low because of a drought in the area that's made search conditions ideal.
Officials from Portugal, Germany and the UK had been in attendance and officers were spotted using pickaxes to search the ground and combing through small rocks with rakes and spades.
The activity was the first major search in the case since 2014. Braunschweig prosecutor Christian Wolters said it was prompted by "certain tips" but would not elaborate on the source.
The search was always due to go ahead for three days, but there had been questions raised over whether or not investigators would extend this time.
The spotlight on the five mile reservoir was reportedly sparked by the discovery of new pictures and videos, showing prime suspect in the case, Christian Brueckner, at the scene.
Among the action on the reservoir, divers were seen in an inflatable boat, with the focus appearing to be at one end of the reservoir, where tents had been pitched up.
READ MORE: Inside first 24 hours of new search for Maddie McCann at remote reservoir
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said: “The Met continues to work with and support colleagues in Portugal and Germany, with their investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
“Met officers will be in Portugal and I am grateful to the Policia Judiciaria and Bundeskriminalamt for allowing us to be present whilst their work is ongoing, so that we can inform Madeleine’s family of any developments.”
Brueckner, a convicted sex offender, reportedly spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017. He has denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.