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Police say a missing black rucksack could be the key to finding a Leicester man who has not been seen for 12 days.

Officers searching for 25-year-old Michal Zygan say they have uncovered new CCTV showing him before he vanished.

Michal was seen carrying a black rucksack and walking towards the canal towpath near Bede Park in Leicester at around 8.30am on Wednesday July 25.

But now new footage has emerged of him just a few minutes later placing him further along the towpath but he no longer has his Nike rucksack with him.

Inspector Lynda Sherwin, in charge of the Missing Persons Team, said the latest sighting was baffling.

She said: “Despite extensive police inquiries, we can still find no logical reason why Michal was on that towpath instead of being at work doing a job he clearly loved.

“Now, in the space of perhaps three or four minutes, we have him pictured carrying his rucksack, and then without it.

“We have searched the canal towpath in this area; we have searched the stretch of the River Soar where he was last seen.

“We have made extensive appeals to the many people who we know were in the area at the time to come forward if they saw him.

“We remain mystified about what has happened.

“Somewhere between 8.30am and 8.34am, along that towpath, Michal’s rucksack has vanished.

“Since 8.34am that morning, twelve days ago, Michal has also vanished."

(Image: Supplied picture)

Police say if Michal had continued along the towpath alongside Richard III Road, he may have gone towards Rally park. Alternatively, he could have possibly headed along Swan Street and then into Pingle Street.

Insp Sherwin added: “The area where Michal was last seen is busy every morning, with dog walkers, cyclists, and people on their way to work. Wednesday 25 July was a warm morning, and others may have been out simply enjoying the early morning sunshine.

“Michal didn’t particularly stand out in the crowd – he was wearing a black T shirt, shorts and – initially - carrying his black rucksack.

“It becomes increasingly urgent that anyone who was in that area 12 days ago cast their minds back to see if they recall seeing him, or seeing something that perhaps didn’t particularly strike them as odd at the time, but looking back may now gain greater relevance to our inquiry.

“We are investigating a case of a man who gave off all the signs of being happy, motivated, and who enjoys living and working in Leicester, but who has not gone to work but headed in a completely different direction to where he should be.

“Then, within a matter of minutes, he has become detached from his rucksack, and has then seemingly vanished into thin air.”

When last seen, Michal was wearing a black Reebok t-shirt, blue denim shorts and black trainers.

If anyone has seen that rucksack, or even more importantly thinks they saw Michal that day or who knows where he is now, they need to contact the police immediately on 101.