Overview

• German federal police initiated a fresh land search using ground-penetrating radar between Praia da Luz and Christian Brueckner’s former residence, expected to last three days.
• The operation covers scrubland, wells, ruins and an abandoned farmhouse across more than 20 privately owned plots under a European investigation order with Portuguese law enforcement support.
• Investigators mounted the search after receiving new leads following Brueckner’s trial, aiming to recover forensic evidence or remains prior to his release in September 2025.
• Christian Brueckner, serving a seven-year sentence in Germany for a 2005 rape in Praia da Luz, remains the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann’s disappearance and denies any involvement.
• UK ministers approved over £100,000 in additional funding in April to aid Scotland Yard detectives, while the Metropolitan Police continues to monitor and back the BKA-led probe.