Two Bangladeshi doctoral students at the University of South Florida have been missing for nearly a week, authorities said Tuesday, as investigators sought public assistance to locate them.
The students—Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27—were last seen at separate locations in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the University of South Florida Police Department, as reported by ABC News.
Limon was last seen at his Tampa residence at around 9:00 a.m., and there has been no confirmed contact with him since, police said.
Bristy was last seen at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the USF Tampa campus at the Natural & Environmental Sciences Building, authorities said.
The two students are friends, and a mutual acquaintance reported them missing after being unable to contact either of them. The report was filed with campus police at about 4:50 p.m. on April 17, according to officials.
Both have been entered into state and national missing persons databases, police said.
Limon is pursuing a doctorate in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy is studying chemical engineering, authorities said.
Detectives from the USF Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are jointly investigating the disappearances.
Anyone with information about their whereabouts is urged to contact the USF Police Department at 813-974-2628.
Meanwhile, Bristy's brother Zahid Hasan Pranto in a Facebook post said: "To date, the BD Embassy, USA, has confirmed that they are not in ICE custody."
"Our family is going through an extremely distressing and painful time. We urgently request everyone to stop spreading unverified information, rumors, or speculation. False narratives are not only harmful but are also making this situation even more difficult for us," he added.
