Land and Sea Search Launched for Pittsburgh College -Students Missing in Dominican Republic

Authorities of the Dominican Republic are searching for a student from the University of Pittsburgh on the East Coast of Caribbean Nation.

Indian National Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was last seen on Thursday on the beach at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana, according to the Dominican national emergency system.

Konanki disappeared at 1 p.m. 04:15 on Thursday local time, Dominican National Police said in a statement. Surveillance cameras from the beach show her with a group of other young adults, according to a statement released in Spanish.

Police are interviewing those seen with Konanki to determine exactly where the maritime search should be focused, including a young man who entered the water in an attempt to confirm his version of events along with other “investigative actions” that have not yet been published, the statement said.

Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, told CNN that his daughter had gone to Punta Cana to Spring Break, prior to pre-with studies in Pittsburgh.

“My daughter is a very nice girl. She is ambitious. She would pursue a career in medicine. “He said his daughter will be a doctor.

His daughter told her friends on Wednesday she was on her way to a party in town, he said.

“She went to the beach on March 6 early in the morning around 1 p.m. 04 with friends and some other guys they met at town. Then her friends came back after some time and my daughter did not come back, did not show up from the beach, ”said her father.

Her friends warned the authorities when she was not in her room the following morning, her father said.

“So far, the authorities, several authorities here in the Dominican Republic, have sought in the water. They searched with the help of helicopters and other tools. They also searched in the nearest bay, shrubs, trees. They walked around the same areas several times, ”said Subbarayudu Konanki.

Konanki’s companions had reported that she missed around 1 p.m. 16 Thursday local time, with its last view of 12 hours earlier at. 04:00, Riu Hotel Chain said in a Spanish language statement.

“We want to express our sincere empathy to the family and friends in this very difficult time. Our guests’ safety and well -being are our highest priority and we are obliged to do everything to help with this situation, ”the statement states.

The hotel chain said the staff helped the authorities in their search.

Konanki was in town with five other female students from the University of Pittsburgh, according to Sheriff’s Office in Loudoun County, Virginia, where she is a resident.

The sheriff’s office said they were contacted on Thursday night and have followed up with “Federal Law Enforcement, the US Ministry of State and Contacts in DR.”

“India’s embassy in DR has taken the lead with our state department and law enforcement on earth. Our office supports this effort and continues to investigate locally, ”the sheriff’s office said in a statement to CNN.

The Dominican National Emergency System coordinates search efforts on the island of Konanki.

“In coordination with the Tourist Police (Politur), the Civil Defense, the Dominican Navy, the National Police and other rescue organizations, four teams of drones equipped with advanced technology have been deployed to carry out a thorough search in the Bávaro coastal area,” the service said in a Spanish language statement issued on Sunday.

The University of Pittsburgh urged everyone with information to contact Loudoun County Sherrif’s office.

“University officials are in contact with Sudiksha Konanki’s family as well as Loudoun County authorities, Virginia, and we have offered our full support in their efforts to find her and bring her safely home,” the University of Pittsburgh said in a statement sent to CNN.

Subbarayudu Konanki said he wants local authorities to expand their investigation.

“They only look in the water, but I want them to explore other options as well, including whether this is a case of kidnapping or human trafficking,” he said.

“We don’t think she would be able to survive for more than three days in the water, and I think maybe something else has happened to her,” he told CNN from Punta Cana on Sunday.

The US Department of State has a level two traveling advice in place for the Dominican Republic who warns US citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting.

“Violent crime, including armed robbery, murder and sexual assault, is a concern throughout the Dominican Republic,” Said the department in a travel advice in June 2024.

It warned us visitors to pay attention to their surroundings and not to show signs of wealth.

The Konanki family is originally from India, but are regular residents who lived in the United States since 2006. India’s embassy said on Facebook that it “expanded all assistance in coordination with the government authorities of the Dominican Republic.”

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