Authorities in the Dominican Republic are searching for 20 year old Sudiksha Konank, a University of Pittsburgh student from the United States.
According to , , , , Jessica Hasbun and Ana Melgar at CNN, Konank was last seen at the beach at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana by surveillance camera. According to Aicha El Hammar Castano, Perry Russom, Victoria Beaule, and Leah Sarnoff at ABC News, Dominican Republic Officials reported that Konanki is believed to have drowned in ocean at the beach.
In an interview with Konank‘s father said that “So far, the authorities, multiple authorities here in the Dominican Republic have searched in the waters. They searched using helicopters and other tools. They also searched in the near bay, bushes, trees. They went multiple times around the same areas.” (Romo, Mar. 10).
Police told CNN that they learned about the disappearance when they were informed by the U.S. Embassy. Police said Konank arrived Monday with Five others.
Konanki is also reportedly a citizen of India, and the Indian Embassy to the Dominican Republic is also reportedly involved according to CNN.
The U.S. State Department has the Dominican Republic at a two out of four travel advisory due to increased crime as of June 18th of last year.
According to Konank’s father, “She’s ambitious. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine.” (Romo, Mar. 10).
