(NewsNation) — The United States is sending federal personnel to the Dominican Republic to locate a missing University of Pittsburgh student.
Sudiksha Konanki, 20, went missing while on a spring break trip with friends in Punta Cana during the early hours of Thursday.
A resident of Ashburn, Virginia, Konanki was last seen on Mar. 6 at 4:50 a.m. while walking on the beach at Riu Republica Resort, which is just north of Punta Cana in the La Altagracia district.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Konanki was last seen wearing a brown bikini, big round earrings, a metal designer anklet on her right leg, yellow and steel bracelets on her right hand, and a multicolored beaded bracelet on her left hand.
-
Missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki -
The United States is sending federal personnel to the Dominican Republic to locate a missing University of Pittsburgh student. Sudiksha Konanki, 20, went missing while on a spring break trip with friends in Punta Cana during the early hours of Thursday. -
Missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki
Konanki was one of six female Pittsburgh students traveling together for spring break. Konanki is also a citizen of India and a permanent U.S. resident.
Per the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Indian embassy in the Dominican Republic has led the search efforts, along with state, federal and on-the-ground law enforcement.
The Dominican Civil Defense said it, and a search and rescue unit has been working since Saturday to locate Konanki. Drones and helicopters are also being used in the search.
“It is our understanding that the US is deploying considerable federal assets to locate the missing female, supporting the Dominican National Police,” the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Dominican Republic, warning of violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.
Meanwhile, the University of Pittsburgh is in contact with the family of the missing student and is offering full support in efforts to locate her.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman told NewsNation his department is “leaving no stone unturned” and has reached out to her parents, who are likely traveling to the Dominican Republic.
Authorities remain concerned about the lack of information on her whereabouts, while her travel companions are expected to return to the U.S. on Monday after speaking with Dominican officials.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.
