The family of the teenager missing in Malaysia says she does not go anywhere alone.

15 year old Nóra Quiorin - who has special needs - was last seen in the holiday resort in Dusan on Sunday.

In a statement today, her family said Nóra is "fun, funny, and extremely loving".

However, they also stress that she is not like other teenagers.

They say that she was born with Holoprosencephaly, meaning she has a smaller brain.

The statement explains: "Her verbal communication is limited. Nóra 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."

Nóra Quoirin

Her family says that Nóra has been to Asia and many European cities before, but has never wandered off or got lost.

They add: "Nóra is very sensitive. Outside the family, Nóra is very shy and can be quite anxious.

"Every night, her special time is for cuddles and a night-time story with her Mum. And she was extremely excited about the family holiday in Malaysia.”

Search

Meanwhile, police in Malaysia are re-checking the resort from which Nora Quoirin went missing.

They gave this update on their search shortly before noon Irish time:

Over 260 people are involved in the operation.

Sniffer dogs, helicopters and loudspeakers with a recording of Nora's mother's voice are being used in the search.

Earlier this morning, police joined hundreds of residents for special prayers.

Sumisha Naidu is a Journalist based in Malaysia:

Day 6 update on the search for Nora Quoirin by police:
• NO footprints found despite reports quoting fire and rescue department personnel as saying there were
• although classified as a missing persons case, criminal investigation teams have been involved since day 1

— Sumisha Naidu (@sumishanaidu) August 9, 2019

Her family has thanked everyone involved in the search, saying some people have been working "all day, every day".