Portuguese police scrubbing a reservoir in the Search for Madeleine McCann they have been told that they must “withdraw” today at 4:00 pm This probably marks the end of the search in the Barragem do Arade area by the National Republican Guard (GNR), 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where the three-year-old boy disappeared in 2007.
A source said: “The GNR has been instructed to withdraw at 4pm local time.” The GNR is one of two Portuguese police forces that have been searching the reservoir and its surroundings.
At present, it is not clear as to the plans of the other force, the Judicial Police. Forensics scouring the area have been looking for Pink Winnie the Pooh ‘Eeyore’ PajamasHas been reported.
Water levels in the desolate spot, described by the main police suspect in the case as their “little paradise”, are currently very low due to a drought in the area that has made search conditions ideal.
Officials of Portugal, Germany and the United Kingdom attended and officers were seen using pickaxes to search the ground and combing out small rocks with rakes and shovels.
The activity was the first major search in the case since 2014. Braunschweig prosecutor Christian Wolters said it was prompted by “certain leads” but did not elaborate on the source.
The search was always to continue for three days, but there were questions about whether or not the researchers would extend this time.
The spotlight on the Five Mile Reservoir was reportedly sparked by the discovery of new images and video, which showed the main suspect in the case, Christian Brueckner, at the scene.
Amidst the action in the reservoir, divers have been seen in an inflatable boat, and the focus appears to be at one end of the reservoir, where tents had been erected.
READ MORE: Within the first 24 hours of a new search for Maddie McCann at a 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 Judiciary and the Bundeskriminalamt for allowing us to be present while 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.