British and Portuguese police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are searching a large area of scrubland near the resort of Praia da Luz where she went missing in 2007.
The search follows a leak last month, saying that the police had not closed the case and would be returning to the Algarve to search for a body.
The BBC reports that the police are expected to use dogs and ground-penetrating radar to find patches of disturbed dirt or anything hidden beneath the surface.
While the McCann family are still hopeful that Madeleine will be found alive, they are prepared for the possible outcome of this latest police search – a body.
After seven years, locals are hoping that this will be the final time that the region will be in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and want to move on with their lives.
There is a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for Madeleine’s disappearance. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0207 321 9251 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
