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    The police hunting for Madeleine McCann are reportedly searching the lake in Portugal in the hope of finding her pink Winnie the Pooh pyjamas.

    The Barragem do Arade reservoir – around 30miles from where the Leicestershire girl went missing in Praia da Luz in 2007 – has been locked off to emergency services.

    Officials from Portugal, Germany and the UK were all at the scene yesterday (Tuesday, May 23). Officers were seen using pickaxes to search the ground and combed through small rocks with rakes and spades.

    READ MORE: Madeleine McCann search sparked after 'cops found pics of area on suspect's computer'

    Braunschweig prosecutor Christian Wolters said the case's first major search in nine years came following "certain tips", but he would not give further details.

    The Sun reported it was sparked following the discovery of photos and videos showing prime suspect Christian Brueckner, 45, near the reservoir.

    The Times reported the focus of the hunt was Madeleine's pyjamas. They were pink and decorated with images of Eeyore from Winnie The Pooh.

    A Portuguese source close to the investigation told The Sun: "The search is being taken very seriously and is being controlled totally by the Germans.

    "They asked Portuguese officers assisting them to look for any evidence – but especially rags."

    Divers were seen taking to an inflatable boat on Tuesday morning. Searches appeared to be concentrated at one end of the reservoir, with tents erected on a hill on the banks.

    Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said: “The Met continues to work with and support colleagues in Portugal and Germany, with their investigations into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

    “Met officers will be in Portugal and I am grateful to the Policia Judiciaria and Bundeskriminalamt for allowing us to be present whilst their work is ongoing, so that we can inform Madeleine’s family of any developments.”

    It has been reported that convicted sex offender Brueckner spent time in the area between 2000 and 2017. Brueckner has denied involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.

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    Source: Read Full Article