Decomposed Body Recovered Near Nongriat Trail; Probe Underway
Shillong, April 11 — The decomposed body of a Hungarian tourist, Zolt Puskas, who had been missing for nearly two weeks, was discovered in a remote forest in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, police confirmed on Friday.
According to a senior police official, Puskas was en route to the famous double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat, located about 20 km south of Sohra (formerly Cherrapunji), when he disappeared.
Last Known Movements
Puskas had checked into a hotel in Shillong on the morning of March 29, but by 9 a.m., he had already checked out and left for Sohra in a local taxi. The driver reportedly dropped him off at Mawsahew village, from where he set off on foot toward Nongriat via Mawkawir, carrying only a backpack. Notably, he was traveling without a tourist guide.
Discovery and Investigation
His decomposed body was found on Thursday afternoon near Ramdait village, along the trekking trail to Nongriat. The location is in a remote forested area, accessible only by foot.
Police suspect that Puskas may have slipped and fallen, resulting in fatal injuries. However, a detailed investigation is underway to confirm the cause of death.
Search Operation Launched After Embassy Alert
The Hungarian Embassy filed a missing person complaint on March 29, prompting local authorities to register an FIR on April 2. A joint search and rescue operation was subsequently launched, involving police personnel, local villagers, and social organisations.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, with all possible angles being examined.
