100 days of agony - Madeleine tragedy only one of many

WHEN a family endures the death of a young child, the pain can be almost unimaginable. When a child disappears, with no indication of whether the youngster is dead or alive, the grief must be all but unbearable.

That is what happened to Kate and Gerry McCann 100 days ago today when their three-year-old daughter Madeleine, who since turned four, disappeared from the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, southern Portugal.

The McCanns were enjoying a family holiday, dining with a group of friends less than 100 metres from their apartment. They regularly checked on their three young children as they slept and it was during one of these calls that Kate discovered that Madeleine was missing.