German police have descended on an abandoned farmhouse on the first morning of in Portugal as part of the ongoing international investigation into the disappearance of after apparently receiving a new tip-off. The move comes with prime suspect - convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner - hoping to be freed from jail in September.

Madeleine was just three years old when she vanished in 2007 from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while her parents dined with friends nearby. The new operatrion is focussing on trenches near the McCanns' former holiday accommodation and will involve radar technology capable of detecting objects buried deep underground. A crtack team of 30 officers, including forensic specialists, are expected to be involved, with Portuguese police providing on-the-ground support. Speculation is rising that the searches have been triggered by significant new information, with reports suggesting a tipster had sent images to German police of the Praia sites where they claim Madeleine may be buried.

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