The Jewish inhabitants of the small Transylvanian town, including sixteen-year-old László, were deported to the Kolozsvár (Cluj) ghetto by the Hungarian gendarmerie in early May 1944. In late May and early June, the Jews were deported from Kolozsvár in several transports. László was declared fit for work during the Auschwitz-Birkenau selection process, and on 13 June he was sent by a prisoner transport to the Gusen subcamp of the Mauthausen camp complex. Here he was subjected to forced labour under harsh working and living conditions, with inadequate food and hygiene. He was able survive the ordeal for five months.