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Villa searched in Madeleine hunt Villa searched in Madeleine hunt
(about 1 hour later)
A detailed search is under way at a villa 150 yards from the apartment where Madeleine McCann went missing. A detailed search is under way at a villa 150 yards from the Portuguese apartment where Madeleine McCann went missing from 11 days ago.
Police are reportedly questioning more than one person, but no-one has been arrested following the search in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Police say they are questioning three people, but there have been no arrests during the search at the villa in Praia da Luz, Algarve.
The BBC's correspondent Jane Hill, who is in the Algarve resort, said the villa, known as Casa Liliana, was the first to be sealed off during the hunt. BBC correspondent Robert Hall urged caution and said developments should be seen as "an element" of the inquiry.
Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.Four-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared on 3 May.
Ms Hill said the single-storey villa was owned by a British woman named Jenny Murat and that her son Robert was a frequent visitor. Our correspondent said the villa, known as Casa Liliana, was close to where the media was based and "therefore police have been brought in to tape the area and seal it off".
Mrs Murat, who is believed to be 71 and a widow, has been running a stall on the seafront in Praia da Luz, appealing for information from the public about Madeleine's disappearance. "Until we hear that there's been a very specific development, in terms of an arrest or the police making some formal statement, I think we should be careful about this," he added.
Local media are reporting that the search has been going on since dawn, she added. The single-storey villa is owned by British former nurse Jenny Murat, 71, who has lived in Portugal - where she brought her son and daughter up - for 40 years.
At least one forensic officer has been seen at the property. Mrs Murat, believed to be a widow, has been running a stall on the seafront in Praia da Luz, appealing for information from the public about Madeleine's disappearance.
Her son, Robert, who has told journalists he has been helping police with translation work during the investigation, is a frequent visitor to Casa Liliana.
Local media are reporting that the search has been going on since dawn.
Officers in white suits with facemasks were seen entering the house on Monday evening.
Searches had been scaled back in the area immediately around where Madeleine disappeared.Searches had been scaled back in the area immediately around where Madeleine disappeared.
The focus had shifted instead to an international child abduction inquiry, amid suggestions she may have been taken out of Portugal.The focus had shifted instead to an international child abduction inquiry, amid suggestions she may have been taken out of Portugal.
ResilienceResilience
Earlier, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann said they would not return home to the UK until she was found safe and well.Earlier, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann said they would not return home to the UK until she was found safe and well.
As the building was being searched, the British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, spoke outside the resort.As the building was being searched, the British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, spoke outside the resort.
He said the McCanns were showing "remarkable resilience and dignity in very distressing circumstances".He said the McCanns were showing "remarkable resilience and dignity in very distressing circumstances".
He also said there were "impressive resources" being devoted to the investigation by the Portuguese authorities.He also said there were "impressive resources" being devoted to the investigation by the Portuguese authorities.
"When I spoke to the chief investigating officer today he said that the collaboration between the Portuguese and British police was truly exceptional," Mr Buck added."When I spoke to the chief investigating officer today he said that the collaboration between the Portuguese and British police was truly exceptional," Mr Buck added.
Mr McCann said the couple would continue to believe their child was being cared for until they received "concrete evidence to the contrary".Mr McCann said the couple would continue to believe their child was being cared for until they received "concrete evidence to the contrary".
And he said he and his wife had drawn "tremendous strength from the warmth and the spiritual outpouring" the couple had received "here and from all around the world".And he said he and his wife had drawn "tremendous strength from the warmth and the spiritual outpouring" the couple had received "here and from all around the world".
Fighting fundFighting fund
Rewards of £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the four-year-old's safe returnRewards of £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the four-year-old's safe return
A "fighting fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in the search for Madeleine is also being set up by her family's lawyers.A "fighting fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in the search for Madeleine is also being set up by her family's lawyers.
The legal team, which has flown out to Portugal, will reveal details of the fund within the next few days.The legal team, which has flown out to Portugal, will reveal details of the fund within the next few days.
Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett said her Portuguese counterpart was "very concerned" about the "difficult and terrible situation" the McCanns are facing.Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett said her Portuguese counterpart was "very concerned" about the "difficult and terrible situation" the McCanns are facing.
"I think we're all very conscious, what we want is to get as much as attention to Madeleine's case as possible because what we want is to get her back," she said."I think we're all very conscious, what we want is to get as much as attention to Madeleine's case as possible because what we want is to get her back," she said.
In the UK, a text message urging mothers to pray for Madeleine's safe return to her family is being passed on by mobile phone and in internet forums.In the UK, a text message urging mothers to pray for Madeleine's safe return to her family is being passed on by mobile phone and in internet forums.
Portuguese police have declined to confirm or deny reports about any possible leads, citing judicial secrecy law.Portuguese police have declined to confirm or deny reports about any possible leads, citing judicial secrecy law.
The international number for Crime stoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.The international number for Crime stoppers is +44 1883 731 336. People with information about Madeleine can call anonymously.