Indian student goes missing in California, search intensifies near Anza lake

A 22-year-old Indian student from Karnataka has gone missing in the United States, triggering a coordinated search by local authorities and diplomatic officials.

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, was last seen on February 9 near Lake Anza in the Berkeley hills. His disappearance has sparked concern among friends, family, and the Indian community abroad.

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco said it is “deeply concerned” about the student’s disappearance and confirmed that it is in touch with both Sreenivasaiah’s family and the concerned local authorities.

In a statement posted on social media, the Consulate said it is closely monitoring the situation and assisting in efforts to trace the missing student.

Sreenivasaiah is pursuing a master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Berkeley. According to his academic profile, he completed his BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in 2025 before moving to the United States for higher studies.

As anxiety mounts, his roommate has issued an emotional appeal on LinkedIn, urging anyone with information to come forward.

“My roommate, Saketh Sreenivasaiah, has been missing since February 9. He was last seen near Lake Anza in the Berkeley hills. If anyone has seen him or has any information, please reach out. We are working desperately with the police department to find him,” the post read.

The Berkeley Police Department described Sreenivasaiah as 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds (73 kg). Authorities have not disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance but confirmed that search efforts are ongoing.

The case has sent ripples of concern across student circles and the Indian diaspora, as calls grow louder for swift action and safe recovery.