Portuguese and German police have launched a new search in the Algarve region of Portugal as part of the ongoing investigation into the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The search focuses on an area near Praia da Luz, close to where Madeleine, then three years old, vanished while on holiday.

German prosecutors are leading the case and suspect 48-year-old Christian Brückner, currently imprisoned in Germany for an unrelated crime.

Although named a formal suspect, there is not enough evidence to charge him.

This is the first search in two years, and any evidence found will be handed to German authorities, the BBC has reported.

Madeleine’s parents say their determination to find her remains strong.

Written by B.C. Begley