A large-scale search operation continues in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, who disappeared during spring break on March 6, 2025. The investigation now involves authorities from three countries - the Dominican Republic, United States, and India [2].

According to surveillance footage, Konanki was last seen around 4:15 a.m. on March 6 at the RIU Republica Resort beach with a group of seven others. While five women and one man left the beach around 4:55 a.m., Konanki remained behind with an unidentified male in his 20s [2][3].

The man, who is under police observation but not officially detained, told authorities they entered the ocean together before he felt ill and fell asleep on a beach chair. He was seen leaving the beach alone around 9 a.m. [2].

Dominican President Luis Abinader announced Monday that authorities are investigating the disappearance as an 'accident' with a focus on ocean search operations. More than 300 officers, including tactical units and aquatic search teams, are involved in the effort [2].

The incident occurred shortly after power was restored following a 22-hour outage at the resort. RIU Hotels confirmed the blackout lasted from 1 a.m. on March 5 until 3 a.m. on March 6 [1].

Konanki's father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has requested authorities to expand their investigation beyond drowning theories to consider other possibilities, including kidnapping or human trafficking. The family, originally from India and now residing in Loudoun County, Virginia, arrived in Punta Cana to assist with the search [2][3].

The FBI, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Dominican Republic National Police, and INTERPOL are collaborating on the investigation. Authorities have established a high-level commission to coordinate search efforts and are analyzing surveillance footage from the area [1][2].