Missing student Souvik Pal's body found in canal Published duration 22 January 2013

image caption Souvik Pal went missing after leaving the Warehouse Project

The body of a student who went missing from a New Year's Eve club night has been found in a canal in Old Trafford.

Souvik Pal, 19, an international student at Manchester Metropolitan University, was last seen at the Warehouse Project in Trafford.

Officers found a body in the Bridgewater Canal, near Manchester United's ground, at 14:00 GMT and it was later confirmed as that of Mr Pal.

A post mortem examination is due to take place later.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said Mr Pal's family had been informed and officers were in regular contact with them.

Mr Pal was last seen at the Warehouse Project at about 23:00 GMT on New Year's Eve and was reported missing by a flatmate the following morning.

'Devastating time'

His father, Santanu Pal, travelled from his home in Bangalore to help with the search.

Several appeals were made to trace his son, including the use of digital advertising hoardings at Manchester United's Premier League home game against Liverpool.

Det Ch Insp Colin Larkin said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with Souvik's family at this devastating time and our officers are doing all they can to support them.

image caption The body was recovered from the canal near Manchester United's Old Trafford ground

"We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding Souvik's death and a file will be submitted to the coroner in due course."

Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz travelled to Manchester last week to meet Santanu Pal.

The Labour MP 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."