A police officer in Praia da Luz where authorities are searching for Madeleine McCann

Dense shrubs, empty barns, abandoned wells and winding dirt tracks — the landscape being combed by investigators is as remote as it is rugged, and police face a massive challenge in their search for new evidence linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Shortly before 6am, ahead of police cordons being established, we encountered one of the officers on site — his face concealed by a balaclava — stationed at a forensic tent near the edge of the scrubland.

“It’s a vast space,” he said. “Each day, a different section will be combed.”

Tony Gallagher said police and locals had previously searched the same area after Madeleine’s disappearance

The gusty winds whip up clouds of dust along the tracks. The terrain is mostly untouched, frequented only by the occasional dog walker or hiker. And yet, as the crow flies, it lies just over a mile from the holiday apartment in  Praia da Luz where Madeleine, aged three, vanished back in 2007.

As we stood near a police van, a local jogger approached — Tony Gallagher, a British expat who’s lived within the search perimeter for two decades. He recalls vividly the chaos of that fateful time

“They were up here searching 20 years ago,” he said, clearly skeptical. “Even locals were out looking back then. I’m not sure what they’re hoping to uncover now.”

Members of the media report on the new search

It’s a mystery many are wondering: What exactly triggered this renewed search? Has new information surfaced? Has someone stepped forward?

Tony added, “It feels surreal. I worry for the people in Praia da Luz… The tourism, the business — it all suffered greatly back then. I hope the area doesn’t face that kind of impact again.

At around 9am, a convoy arrived — two vans and three unmarked cars, all bearing German plates. Inside, officers in camouflage were preparing to begin the day’s operation.

This renewed effort is far from spontaneous. German authorities had formally requested access to the site back in April, and planning has been underway for weeks.

Madeleine’s disappearance remains one of the world’s most widely followed missing-person cases. Every development draws global media attention. At one point during the morning, over 20 journalists were lined along the road opposite the dig site, broadcasting live.

For some, this fresh operation represents a sliver of hope. But for others — especially Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann — it’s a painfully familiar scene.

Roughly two years ago, authorities searched a dam located about 45 minutes away. That search too, ended without any breakthroughs.

Still, the question persists: Could this finally be the moment something is uncovered?