A body has been found in the search for teenager Nora Quoirin who went missing in the Malaysian jungle.
In a statement released this morning, the Lucie Blackman Trust, which is handling media enquiries for Nora's family - said it is "likely" to be that of the 15-year-old who has been missing since August 4.
The statement said: "The Lucie Blackman Trust can confirm a body has been found in the search for Nora Quoirin.
"At this time we cannot confirm it is Nora. However it sadly seems likely.
"Investigations are under way to confirm identity and cause of death.
An official told reporters at a press conference in Malaysia that a body had been found which "resembles Nora".
He said: "The body was winched by helicopter to the hospital."
He said Nora's family had been informed of the news and were going to the mortuary at the hospital to identify the body.
He added that further updates will be given by police later.
Irish + French embassies in Malaysia working together to provide every assistance to the Quoirin family. Irish embassy is in touch with Malaysian authorities on today’s discovery of a body. At this harrowing time all of our thoughts + prayers are with the family.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) August 13, 2019
"The charity will update as soon as possible. Please respect the family and do not approach them at this difficult time.
"All at The Lucie Blackman Trust are thinking of the family and continue to support them as they come to terms with this news."
A BBC journalist reported that the body was found 2km (just over a mile) away from the Dusun resort, has white skin and is female.
State Police chief Mohammed Yusop said: "I can confirm a body has been found in the Betembum mountains. It is not in an accessible place".
Malaysian police confirmed that rescuers had found the body of a Caucasian female in the forest surrounding a nature resort where Nora was reported missing.
Forensic teams were seen racing to the scene.
Several of Nora's family members, including her uncle, have just arrived at the scene, as well as diplomats.
— Mario Ledwith (@marioledwith) August 13, 2019
A frenzy of a activity here at the resort. There may be a development in the search for Nóra. pic.twitter.com/GyeQpG2Em1
— Jackie Fox (@jackiefox_) August 13, 2019
Here is everything that has happened in the search for Nora so far:
August 4: Nora was reported missing after her father discovered she was not in her bedroom at the Dusan Resort at around 8am on Sunday.
The window was also open in the room that Nora had been sharing with her two siblings.
Family friend Catherine Cook told PA: "It's out of character for Nora to go wandering off."
August 5: A British charity said that Malaysian police were treating Nora's disappearance as a potential abduction, but officers denied there was any foul play involved.
The Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity supporting missing people abroad, said police believed the teenager could have been taken.
However, speaking to press on Monday afternoon, Che Zakaria Bin Othman, deputy police chief of Negeri Sembilan, said: "So far there's no indication of foul play, however investigations are still ongoing."
August 6: Nora's family said they believed her to have been abducted.
A statement released on Tuesday said: "Nora's family believe she has been abducted.
"We are especially worried because Nora has learning and developmental disabilities, and is not like other 15-year-olds.
"She looks younger, she is not capable of taking care of herself, and she won't understand what is going on.
"She never goes anywhere by herself. We have no reason to believe she wandered off and is lost."
August 7: Police said they were analysing unidentified fingerprints found in the family's hotel suite.
The prints were at an open window in a downstairs hall, not in the bedroom upstairs where the girl was sleeping with her siblings, deputy police chief Che Zakaria Othman said.
August 9: Police investigated whether footprints found in the forest where Nora went missing belonged to the missing teen.
State fire and rescue department assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar told journalists: "Previously, our detective canines had spotted footprints, but when we conducted a search there, we couldn't find her."
Nora's family also revealed more about her condition, holoprosencephaly, as search crews played recorded messages from her mother, Meabh, through the forest in an attempt to reach the youngster.
They said in a statement: "Nora is not like other teenagers. She is not independent and does not go anywhere alone.
"Nora can read like a young child, but she cannot write more than a few words. She has a good memory but she cannot understand anything conceptual. She is unable to do maths and so things like money are impossible to manage.
"She cannot make or receive phone calls independently."
August 10: Nora's family thanked the search teams involved since the teenager's disappearance.
Her mother and father, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, said: "To be with us here, it means the world to us. We are so grateful for everything that you are doing for us, everyone who is helping here and not from here.
"We are extremely impressed by the effort, your expertise, your dedication and we hope you find Nora.
"And thank you so much."
August 13: Reports that a body has been found emerge.
