Authorities in the Dominican Republic are currently searching for a student from the University of Pittsburgh who went missing on the country’s east coast. Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian national, was last seen on the beach of the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana. Surveillance footage shows Konanki with a group of young adults in the early hours of March 6. The Dominican National Police are interviewing individuals who were with Konanki to determine the focus of the maritime search. Konanki’s father shared that she had traveled to Punta Cana for spring break before starting pre-med studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Concern arose when Konanki’s friends noticed her absence the next morning. Search efforts have included air and water searches, and local authorities are coordinating with international agencies to locate Konanki. The safety and well-being of the missing student are a top priority for all involved.
“In collaboration with the Dominican Navy, the National Police, and various rescue organizations, four teams of drones equipped with advanced technology have been deployed to conduct a comprehensive search in the coastal area of Bávaro,” stated the service in a release on Sunday. The University of Pittsburgh has urged individuals with information to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
The University of Pittsburgh expressed in an email to CNN that they are liaising with Sudiksha Konanki’s family and authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia, and are providing full support in the search efforts to locate her and ensure her safe return. Sudiksha Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has called for a broader investigation by local authorities. He emphasized the need to explore other possibilities, such as potential kidnapping or human trafficking, in addition to searching in the water. Subbarayudu expressed concerns about Sudiksha’s survival chances in the water for more than three days and suggested that something else might have occurred.
The US State Department has issued a level two travel advisory for the Dominican Republic, advising US citizens to exercise increased caution due to concerns about violent crimes like armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault. The advisory reminded visitors to be vigilant of their surroundings and avoid displaying signs of affluence.
The Konanki family hails from India but are permanent residents in the United States since 2006. The Embassy of India stated on Facebook that they are extending assistance in coordination with the Dominican Republic government authorities. For more CNN news and newsletters, you can sign up for an account on CNN.com.”
