Maddie McCann, missing for 18 years

This weekend marks exactly 18 years since Madeleine McCann disappeared. On 3 May 2007, the girl, who was just under four years old, vanished while on holiday with her parents in Portugal.

Madeleine McCann, who was just under four years old, disappeared in May 2007 while on holiday with her parents in Portugal. While her parents were dining with friends at a restaurant in a holiday resort in Praia da Luz, she vanished from her room. She has been missing ever since, despite numerous investigations and search efforts.

"No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day", the parents stated on the day when their daughter has been missing for exactly 18 years. They remain determined to do everything possible to solve their daughter's disappearance.

Since 2011, the British police have been conducting a special investigation into the disappearance, known as 'Operation Grange'. Both in Germany and Portugal, German national Christian Brückner is considered the main suspect, but according to the German authorities, there is currently no prospect of a formal charge against him in connection with Maddie's disappearance.

(PP with DC - Source: BBC, Nieuwsblad - Picture: © DPA picture-alliance/ dpa | Soeren Stache)