20-year-old went for a walk on the beach: Now every trace of her is missing
Punta Cana - Student Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared while walking on a beach in the eastern Dominican Republic early Thursday.
As Fox News and other US media reported, the 20-year-old was reported missing last Thursday.
Sudiksha, from the US state of Virginia, was on vacation in the Dominican Republic with six other female students from the University of Pittsburgh.
Punta Cana is located in the east of the Caribbean island state and is a popular tourist destination.
The authorities have been searching for the young woman with black hair and brown eyes for days with a flyer.
So far, the work of the local search and rescue unit has been unsuccessful, as reported in a post on Instagram.
As Sudiksha is an Indian national, the Indian embassy is also involved and is working with local law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Student missing for days: Did the 20-year-old drown in the sea?
According to initial speculation, Sudiksha may have drowned while swimming in the sea after being caught by a large wave, the New York Post reported.
The evening before, the student had been partying on the beach with her friends. However, while the others gradually made their way back to the hotel, Sudiksha stayed until dawn.
The University of Pittsburgh said it was in contact with Sudiksha's family and the authorities in the US state of Virginia and had offered its full support in finding the young woman and bringing her home safely.
Meanwhile,the US State Department is urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime in the island nation. "Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, is a problem throughout the Dominican Republic," according to the agency's website.