A traveler who was at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on the same day University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki disappeared is claiming that there was a lack of communication from the hotel regarding beach safety. D’Lani Sweeney, who spoke to NewsNation, mentioned that the waves were bigger than usual that day, and there were fewer people in the ocean. The traveler also noted that there was a red flag warning of rough conditions in the water and that there were multiple issues at the resort during her stay, such as power outages. Sweeney believes that these conditions may have prompted Konanki and others to spend more time at the beach than usual.
The resort operator, RIU Hotels, expressed deep concern about the disappearance of one of their guests and extended sympathies to the family and friends of Sudiksha Konanki. They stated that the safety and well-being of their guests are their highest priority and that they are fully committed to assisting in the situation. RIU Hotels also mentioned that their team is providing full support to the authorities in the search and have activated an emergency protocol to ensure that all necessary measures are taken. They have established an internal communication channel for employees to share relevant information with them or the authorities.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old legal permanent U.S. resident originally from India, was last seen entering the beach early Thursday morning at the Riu Republica Resort. Dominican police are investigating one of Konanki’s friends and are trying to corroborate claims from a “young man” who was also in the water on the day of her disappearance. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki is from, stated that all possibilities are being considered in the investigation, and U.S. law enforcement is looking into the case.
There are concerns about the safety measures and communication at the resort in Punta Cana, with the traveler who was present during Konanki’s disappearance mentioning that there was no specific guidance provided about beach safety. The conditions at the resort, including power outages and other issues, may have contributed to guests spending more time at the beach than usual. There are questions about the role of the resort in ensuring the safety of its guests, and whether more could have been done to prevent Konanki’s disappearance.
RIU Hotels did not immediately respond to requests for comment from media outlets, but they have stated that they are deeply concerned about Konanki’s disappearance and are fully committed to assisting in the search. They have activated an emergency protocol and are working closely with authorities to gather information. The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance is ongoing, with police focusing on her friends and other individuals who were at the beach that day. The search for Sudiksha Konanki continues, and authorities are exploring all possible avenues in their efforts to locate her.
