This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6633687.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Police 'unsure' Madeleine alive | Police 'unsure' Madeleine alive |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Portuguese police have said they cannot be certain missing three-year-old Madeleine McCann is still alive. | Portuguese police have said they cannot be certain missing three-year-old Madeleine McCann is still alive. |
Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said the question was "very difficult" to answer "because I have not facts to sustain that the child is alive or not". | Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said the question was "very difficult" to answer "because I have not facts to sustain that the child is alive or not". |
Madeleine, of Leicestershire, is feared to have been abducted from a holiday apartment in the Algarve village of Praia da Luz in Portugal on Thursday. | Madeleine, of Leicestershire, is feared to have been abducted from a holiday apartment in the Algarve village of Praia da Luz in Portugal on Thursday. |
Her mother Kate appealed to whoever was holding her daughter not to hurt her. | Her mother Kate appealed to whoever was holding her daughter not to hurt her. |
"Please do not scare her. Please let us know where to find Madeleine or put her in a place of safety," she said. | "Please do not scare her. Please let us know where to find Madeleine or put her in a place of safety," she said. |
Portuguese police said the search for the toddler was continuing. | Portuguese police said the search for the toddler was continuing. |
In a statement, police said on Sunday that they had widened their search to nine miles (15km) from Praia da Luz and were working closely with Interpol and Europol. | In a statement, police said on Sunday that they had widened their search to nine miles (15km) from Praia da Luz and were working closely with Interpol and Europol. |
class="bodl" href="#map">Map of resort | |
Ch Insp Sousa said: "We're searching for the child and until the moment she appears we can say nothing more because we are not magicians." | |
He added that it was not possible under Portuguese law to give further details. | He added that it was not possible under Portuguese law to give further details. |
Ruins, wells, bushes | |
Dave Shelton from Manchester, who now lives in the village, has been co-ordinating volunteer searchers. | |
He told BBC News on Tuesday that each morning a group of up to 20 locals and tourists searched an area around the village. | |
"Every morning at eight I go to see the police chief and he decides where we go and gives us our little zone, plus a map. | |
"We go off and do that area and then report back and tell him we have done the area so he can tick it off." | |
Mr Shelton said: "We are getting told nothing about what to look for, just to look in all the dried up ruins, wells and bushes. What we are looking for I don't really know and try not to think about it too much." | |
He added: "I have two young children as well and I would like to think if I was in a foreign country that the people would help out as well and help find the child." | |
'Caring girl' | 'Caring girl' |
Mrs McCann, who had asked to speak to the media, said on Sunday: "We would like to say a few words to the person who is with our Madeleine, or has been with Madeleine. | |
"Madeleine is a beautiful, bright, funny and caring little girl. She is so special. Please, please, do not hurt her. | "Madeleine is a beautiful, bright, funny and caring little girl. She is so special. Please, please, do not hurt her. |
We beg you to let Madeleine come home. We need our Madeleine Mother Kate McCann Police under spotlight In pictures: Madeleine search | We beg you to let Madeleine come home. We need our Madeleine Mother Kate McCann Police under spotlight In pictures: Madeleine search |
Speaking in a televised appeal with husband Gerry at her side, she added: "We beg you to let Madeleine come home. We need our Madeleine." | |
Her final sentence was in Portuguese - "Por favor, devolva a nossa menina" - which means "Please give our little girl back". | Her final sentence was in Portuguese - "Por favor, devolva a nossa menina" - which means "Please give our little girl back". |
Madeleine's family have confirmed that when she disappeared she was wearing white pyjama bottoms with a small floral design and a short-sleeved pink top with a picture of Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore. | |
She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant and regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie. | She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant and regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie. |
Search party | Search party |
Around the marina in the nearby town of Lagos, maritime police have been searching amid claims a man was seen with a small girl in the area. | Around the marina in the nearby town of Lagos, maritime police have been searching amid claims a man was seen with a small girl in the area. |
Police had said on Saturday they thought Madeleine had been abducted but was alive. | Police had said on Saturday they thought Madeleine had been abducted but was alive. |
Madeleine has not been seen since Thursday night | Madeleine has not been seen since Thursday night |
They have said they are not able to publish an artist's impression of a suspect because they feared it may harm the case. | They have said they are not able to publish an artist's impression of a suspect because they feared it may harm the case. |
Asked whether the family were being kept informed, Ch Insp Sousa said: "The family is the number one interest in the case but even then, they must be a little far from the investigation." | Asked whether the family were being kept informed, Ch Insp Sousa said: "The family is the number one interest in the case but even then, they must be a little far from the investigation." |
Mrs McCann found the outside shutter and window to Madeleine's room had been opened and her daughter missing shortly before 2200 local time on Thursday. | Mrs McCann found the outside shutter and window to Madeleine's room had been opened and her daughter missing shortly before 2200 local time on Thursday. |
Earlier local mayor Julio Barroso told BBC News 24 about 130 people were working on the case, including 80 detectives, some of whom had come from the capital Lisbon. | Earlier local mayor Julio Barroso told BBC News 24 about 130 people were working on the case, including 80 detectives, some of whom had come from the capital Lisbon. |
Mark Warner managing director David Hopkins said in having a meal nearby in what was a "very safe environment", the McCanns had "done nothing that I'm sure many parents wouldn't have done". | Mark Warner managing director David Hopkins said in having a meal nearby in what was a "very safe environment", the McCanns had "done nothing that I'm sure many parents wouldn't have done". |
The resort where Madeleine disappeared | |
Return to top |