Madeleine McCann's sister Amelie shares statement on 16th anniversary of her disappearance

Madeleine McCann's sister shared a brief statement on the anniversary of her disappearance.

Amelie gathered with her parents to mark 16 years since Maddie vanished from their apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on 3 May 2007.

In the years that have passed, little progress has been made in tracking her down and the people responsible.

But parents Gerry and Kate have never lost hope that they will receive some closure.

And during the vigil this week, Amelie, now 18 years old and applying for university, said that it was great to see so many people come out for her sister.

"It’s nice that everyone is here together but it’s a sad occasion," she said.

James Boardman Archive/dpa picture alliance archive/Alamy

In a statement published on the Find Madeleine Campaign’ Facebook page, Gerry and Kate said they were still devastated by the loss of their daughter.

"Still missing …. still very much missed," they wrote. "It is hard to find the words to convey how we feel.”

They also posted a picture of Maddie, alongside the poem 'The Contradiction' by Clare Pollard.

The couple then thanked everyone who has supported them over the years.

"The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough," they told their followers.

“It is much appreciated that people still want to show such support."

The police have been investigating a sex criminal and main suspect who was in the Algarve in 2007, which is where Maddie went missing.

He is described as 'a sexual offender who has been convicted several time also for sexual abuse against children' and was known to live on and off in the Algarve, Portugal, between 1995 and 2007.

He was reportedly in the area were Maddie was last seen 13 years ago, before her disappearance.

James Boardman Archive/Alamy

Christian Brueckner has been described as a white man who is about 6ft tall. At the time of the incident, he is believed to have had a slim build and short blond hair.

The convicted rapist is currently imprisoned in Germany serving a seven year sentence after being found guilty of raping a 72-year-old woman.

Brueckner has reportedly denied any involvement in the case.

In a three-part documentary, Madeleine McCann: Prime Suspect, Brueckner spoke with British investigator Mark Williams-Thomas from his prison cell in Oldenburg, northwest Germany, where he provided an alleged alibi.

Speaking to The Sun, the former detective revealed in April this year: “We have since been in contact at length in ­writing and he has explained his position to me in detail.

“He has told me exactly where he was on the night Madeleine disappeared - and that he was not where the police say he was.

"He also insists that he is entirely innocent.

“My inquiries have unearthed evidence which is pretty explosive, but I’m not saying whether I believe what he told me. That’s for viewers to judge.”