Portuguese authorities have announced a search operation in the Lagos area, located in the country’s southern region, known for tourism and linked to Maddie’s disappearance in May 2007. This operation is scheduled to run from Monday through Friday.

“We are aware of the searches being conducted by the BKA in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann,” stated a spokesperson in a statement to 9news.com.au.

“The MPS is not present at the search but will support our international colleagues where necessary.”

Madeleine disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment on May 3 2007, days before her fourth birthday.

Despite an investigation spanning more than 18 years, no charges against a suspect have ever been laid.

Brueckner has not been charged in the McCann case, in which he is under investigation on suspicion of murder.

The individual has spent several years in Portugal, notably in Praia da Luz during the period when Madeleine went missing in 2007. He has consistently denied any involvement in her disappearance.

He is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2019 by the Braunschweig court for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005.