The latest search for missing Madeleine McCann has come to an end as Scotland Yard say no new evidence has been uncovered.
However, it is thought that the search will continue after the team has negotiated with the Portugese authorities. The Scotland Yard police force described the eight-day search as “the first phase into this investigation” into Madeleine’s disappearance.
Scotland Yard added in a statement: “There is still a substantial amount of work yet to be completed in the coming weeks and months, which again should be viewed as no more than normal operational activity in a case of this size and complexity”.
Radar equipment, sniffer dogs and forensic archaeologists were used to search three separate areas in Praia da Luz.
Madeleine was just three when she went missing in May 2007 from the Ocean Club apartments, located in the Portuguese resort town of Praia da Luz.
Her parents have released a statement which was posted on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, in which the couple said they are very pleased with the search operation that has taken place over the past eight days.
“We are very pleased that significant activity has taken place in Praia da Luz over the last eight days with police officers and support teams from the UK working closely with the Policia Judicial and the Guarda Nacional Republicana.
“We are further encouraged that, despite the intensive searches, no trace of Madeleine has been found and this reinforces our belief that she could still be alive.
“As parents of a missing child, we have always wanted all reasonable lines of enquiry to be followed and it is gratifying to know that a substantial amount of work will take place over the coming months with close cooperation of the British and Portuguese authorities.
“We would like to thank all those involved for their efforts and the members of the public who have come forward with information”.
(Image via Getty)
