PUNTA CANA — Guests of the Dominican Republic resort where a University of Pittsburgh student vanished complained of having no electricity or running water among other chaotic conditions at the crowded beachfront complex.
Several visitors gave testimonials about the lack of basic provisions at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana, where Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was last seen via security footage on the beach around 4.50 a.m. on Thursday.
“If you have a Spring Break trip booked to Riu Republica consider canceling it now,’ warned Melau Acuff in a nearly six-minute TikTok video shared on Sunday describing the ‘ridiculous’ conditions.
Yesterday I got back from the worst all-inclusive experience I ever had in my entire life, and as someone who has been going to all-inclusives for 15 years or more at this point, that says a lot.”
Acuff detailed numerous power outages at the resort, as well as the lack of running water.
Guests had to “scavange” for food at the resort.
She said she and her group arrived at the resort on March 3, three days before Konanki disappeared.
Acuff also recalled that her friend’s purse was stolen, but eventually found by hotel staff and returned – without any cash inside.
In addition, she said that she and other guests had problems with their room keys and that she and the “entire resort” were forced to dine at a single restaurant inside the sprawling complex due to a power outage.
“It was so overcrowded. There was barely any food options because there was so many people,” Acuff explained.
“You at least expect the basics, and we didn’t even get that,’ she added. ‘I know we’re not at the Ritz Carlton, but c’mon. It was ridiculous.”
Another group of guests recorded themselves dining in the dark at the resort, saying they “scavenged [it] together, all by ourselves.”
“They have one restaurant to feed a couple thousand people,” one of the women complained.
“Chaos reigned” at the Dominican resort where the Indian native disappeared from.
In the video caption, they said they had no power for three days.
“Our water comes on then shuts off. They have one place open to eat. It’s so busy with a resort of like a couple thousand. It’s a mad house,” the guest wrote.
“The customer service is is horrible. The place smells like they have sewage backup everywhere.”
Yet another guest took to TikTok to complain about the check-in process, saying it took two hours, as well periods of no electricity and water and the smell of gas in the hallways.
Their concerns went unanswered by the resort staff, including management, the guest claimed.
“So you can’t go to that country expecting your American rights.”
“From the moment the problem was detected, in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5, until it was completely resolved, in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, the hotel team worked tirelessly to resolve the problem rapidly and thus restore all services, which happened progressively during that period of time. All members of our staff have been doing their best to mitigate the inconveniences generated by this situation.”
“Our commitment to the well-being and comfort of our guests is our priority, so we deeply regret the power failure that affected the Riu Republica Hotel last week,” the resort said in a statement, noting it would compensate affected guests who submitted a claim
Local officials and American authorities at odds over what may have happened to Konanki.
She was in the Caribbean country with five other female University of Pittsburgh students when she vanished.
Konanki and her friends were seen walking on the beach in the early hours of Thursday morning. Most of the group returned to the hotel, leaving her and one other on the beach.
Dominican officials say that’s when she and the friend went for a swim – and got caught by a large wave.
They believe Konanki drowned, but are yet to recover her body.
American authorities however say the investigation should remain open and active.
‘There’s no evidence to support that conclusion at this time,’ he said.
‘The investigation is looking at everything from an accident to foul play and interviews are ongoing, along with review of video and phone records,’ Julia continued.
‘The best outcome is that she is found alive and well.’
According to CNN, Police have already spoken with Konanki’s friends to establish exactly where a maritime search should be focused.
By ADRY TORRES/Daily Mail
