The body of a man has been found in a dock near BBC Media City in Greater Manchester.
Police say the man’s age is unknown and forensic work and further enquiries were underway to establish his identity.
Divers were seen entering the water with a stretcher after the body was found around midday on Easter Monday.
The scene by the Media City Metrolink tram stop in Salford Quays was quickly closed off by police.
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. “It is currently being treated as unexplained.
Manchester 'Pusher'
The city has seen years of rumours about a serial killer known as the “Manchester Pusher” who forced victims into waterways.
Relatives of people found in water around the city have expressed fears that the deaths were suspicious.
Further speculation over a serial killer has been fuelled by “unexplained” inquest verdicts and coroners reaching inconclusive conclusions over why people fell into the water.
Police launched a review into 85 waterway deaths after a 2014 Freedom of Information request revealed the region saw dozens of deaths in canals in just six years.
But Greater Manchester Police found “no evidence to support the theory that a serial killer is at large”.
Rumours restarted after a cyclist was thrown into the Bridgewater canal from a path near Old Trafford football stadium in April 2018.
Police appealed for help finding the suspect but stressed that there was no evidence linking it to other incidents.
Following the incident, Manchester’s city centre spokesman said most waterway deaths were accidents linked to alcohol consumption.
“The police and the council have examined every case in the city centre over the last 10 years and have found no link or connection between the fatalities,” councillor Pat Karney told the Guardian.
“It’s an urban myth that will never die, and any time there’s an incident or accident it comes up again. I think it causes distress to the families that have lost their loved ones.”
Greater Manchester Police say anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 937 from 22 April.
Equally reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
