Twenty-Year-Old College Student Missing in Dominican Republic Amid Drowning Fears
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student from Virginia, has been reported missing in the Dominican Republic, likely after drowning while swimming during a beach walk. Her disappearance has initiated ongoing search efforts involving local and international authorities, and appeals for public assistance have been made to locate her.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student from Loudoun County, Virginia, has gone missing during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic. Reports indicate that Konanki was last seen on March 6, 2023, while walking on the beach at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana. She was accompanied by a group of six female students from the University of Pittsburgh. On the night prior to her disappearance, most of the group returned to the hotel, leaving Konanki on the beach with one other individual.
The investigation suggests that Konanki may have drowned after being swept away by a large wave while swimming. Local authorities reported that she was last captured on video surveillance at approximately 4:15 a.m. on March 6. Following her disappearance, searches commenced early on the morning of March 8 and continued on March 9, utilizing drones and helicopters.
Officials from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office quickly engaged with federal and state law enforcement and made contacts in the Dominican Republic. The Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic is reportedly leading the response efforts on-site. A missing poster, shared by a friend of Konanki’s family, urged the public for help in locating her, emphasizing the importance of widespread awareness.
Konanki is described as standing 5 feet 3 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, and she was last seen wearing a brown bikini, round earrings, an anklet, and bracelets. Although her friends present during the incident have been questioned by police, there have been no charges filed against them. Authorities, including the Dominican Republic National Police and the U.S. Department of State, have not yet provided additional comment.
The case of Sudiksha Konanki highlights the urgent search efforts following her disappearance during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic. Her potential drowning incident underscores safety concerns while participating in various activities abroad. The collaboration between local and international authorities, along with the appeal for community assistance, plays a critical role in the search for missing individuals.
Original Source: people.com
