Search Continues for Missing Indian-Origin Student Sudiksha Konanki in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student, went missing on March 6 at Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana. She was last seen at 4:15 AM near the beach. Local authorities are conducting searches and investigating those she was last seen with. The University of Pittsburgh is assisting her family and coordinating with law enforcement.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin US student at the University of Pittsburgh, was last seen on the beach of the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana early Thursday morning, March 6. The Dominican National Emergency System reported that she disappeared shortly before dawn. Her friends reported her missing nearly 12 hours later, prompting an extensive search by local authorities.
Authorities stated that Sudiksha was last observed at approximately 4:15 AM local time. Civil defense officials noted that surveillance footage captured her with a group of young adults on the beach. Investigators are interviewing those who were with her to focus the ongoing search efforts, which include questioning a young man who entered the water shortly after her disappearance.
A missing person notice describes Sudiksha as 5 feet 3 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a brown bikini, large round earrings, and multiple bracelets on her limbs. The University of Pittsburgh is collaborating with her family and local authorities to aid the search efforts and ensure her safety.
The Dominican Republic’s search and rescue force, Defensa Civil, initiated search operations over the weekend and planned to continue their efforts. The Loudoun County sheriff’s office stated they are coordinating closely with federal law enforcement and the US State Department, alongside Indian embassy officials, to aid in the search. Sudiksha’s family, originally from India, has been in the US since 2006, and assistance is being provided by the Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
Sudiksha Konanki’s case highlights the urgency of missing persons investigations, particularly in foreign locations. Ongoing collaboration among local authorities, the US State Department, and the Indian Embassy underlines the complexity of such situations. As search efforts continue, attention to detail and timely coordination are crucial in hopes of ensuring her safe return.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com