(Credit: Courtesy Bates College)

A student from Bates College in Maine who vanished while studying abroad in Rome has been declared dead.

John Durkin, a junior and linebacker on the Bates football team, had been missing since early Wednesday when he went out to a bar with friends and never returned.

The 21-year-old from Rye, N.H., was last seen at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sloppy Sam's bar.

The State Department, the college and a relative all confirmed Durkin's death today.

Ian Durkin, a relative of the college student, posted on the John Durkin Missing Person Facebook event page: "It is with much sadness that the Durkin family informs you of the loss of John Nolen Durkin and thanks everyone for their support during the past few days."

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan tweeted today, "Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of John Durkin. Thoughts & prayers are with his parents, friends and loved ones in this difficult time."

The U.S. Embassy in Italy also released a statement, saying "The U.S. Embassy extends its condolences to the family of John Durkin, an American student participating in a study abroad program in Rome whose body was recovered today by Italian authorities."

While ABC affiliate WCVB-TV in Boston reports that Durkin was fatally hit by a train in a tunnel, the official details surrounding Durkin's death have not yet been released.

Durkin, an economics major, was participating in a Rome study abroad program through Trinity College in Connecticut.