Search Intensifies for Missing U.S. Student in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki's disappearance during a spring break trip raises safety concerns as authorities investigate and expand search efforts.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, went missing on March 6 after being last seen at a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Authorities, including the Dominican Republic National Police, FBI, and U.S. Embassy, are conducting a large-scale search by air, sea, and land.
Surveillance footage shows Konanki staying behind on the beach with a man who has since been interviewed multiple times but is not considered a suspect.
Her father has urged authorities to investigate possibilities beyond drowning, including kidnapping or human trafficking, as her belongings were left behind with friends.
The incident has sparked discussions about spring break travel safety, though travel agencies report minimal cancellations among students heading to the region.