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Police 'step up Madeleine search' Police 'step up Madeleine search'
(20 minutes later)
Portuguese police are stepping up their efforts to find Madeleine McCann, who has been missing for five days. Portuguese police are stepping up their efforts to find Madeleine McCann, who has been missing for five days from a Portuguese holiday resort apartment.
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.But a reported sighting of Madeleine, from Leicestershire, was a case of mistaken identity, they said.
She disappeared from a resort in the village of Praia da Luz on Thursday.She disappeared from a resort in the village of Praia da Luz on Thursday.
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.
I was very upset to hear of the abduction of Madeleine McCann and I appeal to anyone with information to come forward Cristiano Ronaldo
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."
Footballer appeal 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.
Silent vigil
Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who is Portuguese, said he was moved by news of the little girl's disappearance.Manchester United footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who is Portuguese, said he was moved by news of the little girl's disappearance.
Madeleine has not been seen since Thursday nightMadeleine has not been seen since Thursday night
He made an appeal for information about her whereabouts on MUTV, Manchester United's television channel.He made an appeal for information about her whereabouts on MUTV, Manchester United's television channel.
Meanwhile, staff at Leicester's three hospitals also joined in prayer for the McCann family. 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.
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 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.