MADDY’S SAD MILESTONE

LONDON: The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann are marking the 18th birthday of their daughter on Wednesday, just over 14 years since she disappeared in Portugal.

Madeleine, or “Maddy” as she is known in Britain, vanished from her family’s apartment in The Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz in 2007.

The disappearance, just days before her fourth birthday, sparked a massive search effort – though no trace of her has ever been found – and an international media frenzy.

Despite the high-profile nature of Madeleine’s disappearance, the anniversary was expected to be a muted affair. The McCanns were only expected to comment if there was a development.