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Police 'step up Madeleine search' Police 'step up Madeleine search'
(about 1 hour later)
Portuguese police are stepping up their efforts to find Madeleine McCann, who has been missing for five days from a holiday apartment in the Algarve.Portuguese police are stepping up their efforts to find Madeleine McCann, who has been missing for five days from a holiday apartment in the Algarve.
Officers said they had quizzed 100 people, followed up 350 pieces of information and searched 500 apartments to try to locate the three-year-old.Officers said they had quizzed 100 people, followed up 350 pieces of information and searched 500 apartments to try to locate the three-year-old.
But a reported sighting of Madeleine, from Leicestershire, was a case of mistaken identity, they said. UK ambasssador John Buck said police were doing everything they could.
She disappeared from a resort in the village of Praia da Luz on Thursday. Madeleine, from Leicestershire, disappeared from a resort in the village of Praia da Luz on Thursday.
'Great concern''Great concern'
Portuguese television had reported that a man and a child matching Madeleine's description were seen driving off in a car from the town of Nelas, about 300 miles (483km) north of Praia da Luz.Portuguese television had reported that a man and a child matching Madeleine's description were seen driving off in a car from the town of Nelas, about 300 miles (483km) north of Praia da Luz.
However, police said the sighting was a case of mistaken identity.
But Olegario de Sousa, of the Portuguese police, said: "It was not Madeleine. It was a child who looks like Madeleine, but she is a child who lives in the area."But Olegario de Sousa, of the Portuguese police, said: "It was not Madeleine. It was a child who looks like Madeleine, but she is a child who lives in the area."
Madeleine has not been seen since Thursday nightMadeleine has not been seen since Thursday night
He said officers were maintaining a "high level" of effort to find Madeleine, as well as gathering evidence about her disappearance.He said officers were maintaining a "high level" of effort to find Madeleine, as well as gathering evidence about her disappearance.
The force had been criticised for not keeping the public informed, but officials have insisted that Portuguese law forbids police from releasing information about a live investigation.The force had been criticised for not keeping the public informed, but officials have insisted that Portuguese law forbids police from releasing information about a live investigation.
Mr Sousa's press conference, where he listed the action taken by his officers, came after intense pressure from the media.Mr Sousa's press conference, where he listed the action taken by his officers, came after intense pressure from the media.
He told assembled journalists than an area with a radius of 15km (10 miles) around the Algarve resort had been searched - along with hundreds of nearby apartments.He told assembled journalists than an area with a radius of 15km (10 miles) around the Algarve resort had been searched - along with hundreds of nearby apartments.
Antonio Santana Carlos, the country's UK ambassador, said the case was of "great concern" to Portugal and asked people to trust the police.Antonio Santana Carlos, the country's UK ambassador, said the case was of "great concern" to Portugal and asked people to trust the police.
Footballers including England captain John Terry and Portuguese players Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Ferreira, who both play in England, have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.Footballers including England captain John Terry and Portuguese players Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Ferreira, who both play in England, have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
A set of pyjamas identical to the ones Madeleine was wearingA set of pyjamas identical to the ones Madeleine was wearing
Meanwhile, villagers in Rothley, where the McCanns are from, are holding a silent vigil to show support for Madeleine.Meanwhile, villagers in Rothley, where the McCanns are from, are holding a silent vigil to show support for Madeleine.
Staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer for the McCann family.Staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer for the McCann family.
Madeleine's father, Gerry, is a consultant cardiologist at the city's Glenfield Hospital and her mother, Kate, is a GP.Madeleine's father, Gerry, is a consultant cardiologist at the city's Glenfield Hospital and her mother, Kate, is a GP.
The McCann family have confirmed 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 when she disappeared.The McCann family have confirmed 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 when she disappeared.
She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.
They were regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.They were regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.