Search starts for body of missing toddler Ben

Police: Teams ‘optimistic’ new excavation will reveal answers

Police teams searching for missing toddler Ben Needham on the Greek island of Kos say they are “optimistic” a new excavation will provide answers, a quarter of a century after the British boy was last seen alive.

Digging began after a fresh line of inquiry suggested 21-month-old Ben may have been crushed to death by a digger near a farmhouse his grandparents were renovating in July 1991.

Detective Inspector Jon Cousins, from South Yorkshire Police, said the 19strong team expected to find “hundreds” of bones, all of which will be analysed in laboratories once they are recovered. But he also refused to rule out that Ben may still be alive. He said: “I am keeping an open mind. There are still some other live lines of inquiry of what might have happened to Ben. “All of this has resulted in a lot of myth and legend that has gathered over 25 years as to what has happened to Ben. It has allowed us to pare back and find out the truth. “There are many lines of inquiry. With all the information we have, I’ve made the decision that it is necessary to do the work that we are going to be doing over the next week or so.” Konstantinos Barkas, also known as Dino, was clearing land with an excavator close to where Ben was playing on the day he vanished and may be responsible for his death, a friend of the builder reportedly told police following a TV appeal in May.

The driver reportedly died of stomach cancer last year, months before detectives from South Yorkshire Police arrived on the island for a renewed investigation.

Mr Cousins said: “Based on what we found out in 2012 when a search was done nearby, we will be finding many hundreds of bones, each of which will have to be carefully looked at. Work will continue tirelessly once work has been assessed.”

Forensic teams could be seen walking slowly in banks of around eight as the site – which continues to be farmed by a local family – was sectioned off.

Investigators have told Ben's mother Kerry Needham to “prepare for the worst” ahead of excavation on the island.

Mr Cousins said he had a “private” chat with Ms Needham, who is not in Kos.

He said: “I spoke to Kerry and explained what I would be doing today.

“I had a private conversation with her around how she was feeling, and also explained the emotion that all of the team are feeling at this time.”

“We will be finding many hundreds of bones, each will be looked at”

HUNT: South Yorkshire Police search an olive grove near the scene where toddler Ben Needham went missing over 20 years ago in Kos

Ben Needham: The 21-month-old has been missing since July 1991

New searches of the site started after claims Ben had been crushed by a digger