Missing University Student Santa Maria Thampi Found Safe After Extensive Community Search
Waterford: Santa Maria Thampi, a 20-year-old Indian student at University College Dublin, who went missing from Waterford yesterday morning, has been safely located following an extensive day-long search coordinated by the local community.
Santa Maria was last seen around 6:15 a.m. near her home on Old Tramore Road, close to Bracken Grove. She had informed her family the previous night that she intended to take an early morning walk to watch the sunrise before attending church. She had invited a relative to accompany her, but the early hour meant she went alone.
When Santa Maria did not return at the expected time, her family launched a search and discovered her phone left at home, raising immediate concern. They alerted friends and the Gardaí, though initial responses were reportedly measured, citing her age. The urgency increased after members of the Indian community in Waterford highlighted recent incidents affecting their community.
The Waterford Indian community swiftly mobilised, searching familiar walking routes, local neighbourhoods, and Kilbarry Nature Park. By late morning, official confirmation of her disappearance prompted wider community involvement, with local media and social platforms amplifying calls for public assistance. Hundreds of volunteers joined the search, while emergency services, including the Gardaí and the Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 team, combed the area.
In the evening, a Polish resident reported an unconscious individual near a local roundabout. Gardaí and search teams responded immediately and found Santa Maria in critical condition. She was transported to hospital, where it was confirmed that she had sustained minor injuries; the exact cause remains under investigation. Authorities have restricted public comment to ensure her privacy and safety.
Santa Maria’s family, the Gardaí, and the local community expressed gratitude for the public’s support in locating her. The incident, however, remains a subject of concern, with ongoing speculation about the circumstances of her disappearance. Reports of another potentially missing girl from the Indian community are unconfirmed.
The Waterford Indian community has praised the collective effort and solidarity shown during the search. While Santa Maria has been safely recovered, community members remain vigilant and concerned about the unresolved aspects of the case.
Irish Samachar English News
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