Sudiksha Konanki disappearance: Dominican Republic traveler claims resort didn’t give info on beach safety

A startling and deeply concerning situation is unfolding in the Dominican Republic, where a young American college student, Sudiksha Konanki, has gone missing. Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student and a U.S. legal permanent resident originally from India, was last seen entering the beach at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana early on a Thursday morning. Her disappearance has sparked a frantic search effort, with local authorities, U.S. law enforcement, and the resort operator all involved in the investigation. As the search continues, details have emerged that raise questions about the resort’s safety measures and communication with guests, particularly regarding beach conditions.

D’Lani Sweeney, a traveler who was at the resort on the same day Konanki vanished, shared her perspective with NewsNation, painting a troubling picture of the resort’s handling of safety protocols. Sweeney recalled that the waves on the day of Konanki’s disappearance were unusually large and rough, making her and her friends hesitant to enter the water. Despite her own swimming abilities, Sweeney opted not to go into the ocean, noting that even her friends who did venture in didn’t stay long. She also observed that there were fewer people in the water than usual, which she attributed to the dangerous conditions. However, what struck Sweeney most was the lack of communication from the resort regarding beach safety. In her words, it was “kind of just left up to your own discretion.” She recalled seeing a red flag posted on the beach, which typically indicates rough or unsafe conditions, but there appeared to be little effort by the resort to enforce or communicate these warnings to guests. On one occasion, she saw a security guard whistling to signal people to come out of the water, but such interventions were rare during her stay.

Sweeney’s account also shed light on other issues at the resort, which she believes may have indirectly contributed to Konanki’s disappearance. During her stay, the resort experienced prolonged power outages, which left guests without air conditioning and forced many to seek refuge elsewhere. “People were sleeping in other people’s rooms, they were sleeping on the pool chairs, they were staying out as long as they could because there was no AC in the rooms and the rooms would get 80 degrees plus,” Sweeney explained. These conditions, she speculated, might have led some guests, including Konanki, to spend more time at the beach than they otherwise would have, potentially increasing the risk of accidents or other incidents. Sweeney emphasized that she believes these issues “100 percent” could have played a role in what happened to Konanki.

In response to the allegations, RIU Hotels, the operator of the Riu Republica Resort, issued a statement expressing deep concern over Konanki’s disappearance. The company offered its condolences to her family and friends, stating that “the safety and well-being of our guests are our highest priority.” RIU Hotels also claimed to be fully cooperating with the authorities, having activated an emergency protocol to assist in the search and established an internal communication channel for employees to share any relevant information. However, when asked about Sweeney’s claims regarding the lack of safety communication and resort conditions, RIU Hotels did not provide an immediate response to Fox News Digital.

As the search for Konanki continues, authorities are exploring all possible scenarios, including the possibility of an accident or foul play. While initial reports suggested that Konanki may have drowned, private investigator and Natalee Holloway case expert Peter R. de Vries has cast doubt on this theory, suggesting that other factors may be at play. Dominican police have confirmed that they are investigating one of Konanki’s friends, who was also in the water on the day she disappeared, and are seeking to corroborate his account. A U.S. law enforcement official told Fox News Digital that “we have to consider all possibilities” and that authorities are examining “everything” related to the case.

Konanki, described as 5 feet 3 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes, was last seen wearing a brown bikini, hoop earrings, bracelets, and an anklet. Her disappearance has sent shockwaves through her community in Loudoun County, Virginia, where she resides, and has drawn attention to broader concerns about traveler safety in popular tourist destinations like Punta Cana. As the investigation unfolds, many are left hoping for Konanki’s safe return and seeking answers about the circumstances that led to her disappearance.