Yellow balloons around the world to mark kidnapping of Madeleine

Dubai: Fifty yellow balloons were released yesterday near Burj Al Arab to mark the 50 days since Madeleine McCann was abducted from her parents' holiday apartment in Portugal.

In Dubai, families gathered at Jumeirah Beach yesterday morning to show their support for the McCann family. An organiser said the objective was to highlight the plight of the family and to show that the four-year-old is not forgotten.

Around the world

To mark this sad anniversary, her parents wanted to arrange for the release of 50 yellow balloons in as many locations around the world.

So far, balloons have been released in 11 countries, including Oman.

The support in Dubai was huge with families along with their children turned up, each bringing along balloons.

At 11am the balloons were released, many with Madeleine's image taped on. In addition, posters with Madeleine's image were distributed to people on the beach.

A similar release of balloons took place in Abu Dhabi, arranged by a relative of the McCann family living there.