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Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Friday ruled out any foul play in the death of the Hungarian tourist who was found dead near Sohra nearly two weeks after he went missing.
Talking to Meghalaya News 24, Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong said, “No, there was no such foul play at all, in fact he has fallen accidentally in the river.”
Emphasizing the risks posed by the region’s unpredictable terrain and water bodies, he added, “From in fact time to time we used to request the tourists, coming down to Meghalaya, not only the Sohra side but anywhere they go because see the river here in Meghalaya is very very challenging. You cannot treat the water in the plain belt and the hilly area (same) it’s totally different, so therefore we request them to be very careful while swimming or even touring to the river bank.”
The body of the missing tourist, Puskas Zsolt, was recovered on Thursday afternoon at around 1:30 PM at Ramdait village along the route to Tyrna in Shella under the Sohra Civil Sub-Division, concluding a prolonged and intense search operation.
Zsolt had been missing since March 29.
Police sources said that an initial investigations revealed he had checked into a hotel in Laitumkhrah at 3:45 AM that day and checked out by 9:00 AM. He subsequently took a local taxi that dropped him at Mawsahew near Sohra by noon. From there, he reportedly began a solo trek toward Mawkawir, intending to reach Nongriat, carrying only a backpack.
When he failed to make any contact, the Hungarian Embassy alerted the local police on April 2, prompting a large-scale search effort that involved the police, Home Guards, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers. His body, found in a partially decomposed state in a steep and remote location, bore no signs of foul play, further supporting the theory of an accidental fall.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the need for caution among tourists exploring Meghalaya’s natural landscapes, known for both their breathtaking beauty and hidden hazards.