Missing Man Met student Souvik Pal found dead in canal

The body of Manchester Metropolitan student Souvik Pal has been found in a canal near Old Trafford football stadium.

Mr Pal, 19, was an international student from India and was last seen leaving the Warehouse Project on New Year’s Eve.

Police discovered his body in the Bridgewater Canal at 14:00 GMT and an autopsy will take place this evening.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson stressed they “do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding Souvik’s death.”

They added that Mr Pal’s family had been informed and officers were in regular contact with them.

His father Santanu Pal travelled from Bangalore to help with the search, organising a march to highlight his son’s disappearance. Numerous appeals were also made by Manchester Universities, politicians, and the national media.

Labour MP and Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz visited Santanu Pal last week. He said: “I have spoken to Mr Pal and we are all aware of these developments, the last 22 days have been so difficult for him.

“I want to thank the police for their continued hard work on this case, everyone has done so much.”

Souvik Pal worked part-time at Old Trafford selling refreshments. During a home game against Liverpool, Manchester United urged anyone with information to come forward.

DetCh Insp Colin Larkin issued in a statement: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Souvik’s family at this devastating time and our officers are doing all they can to support them.”

Anyone with information relating to Mr Pal’s death should call the police on 0161 856 4223 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.