At least 15 people are missing after a flash flood at the famous Grand Canyon National Park in the US state of Arizona. One person has died. Floodwaters surged after heavy rain Saturday afternoon, hitting the park’s Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas hardest.
Following the flood, the National Park Service and the Arizona Department of Public Safety jointly launched a rescue operation. By Sunday morning, more than 60 people had been safely airlifted by helicopter from deep areas of the canyon.
Authorities said nearly all pedestrian bridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed by floodwater. With metal debris and large amounts of wreckage washed into the river, boat traffic on the Colorado River has also been suspended until further notice.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch canteen and cabins, and a large section of the North Kaibab Trail have been declared closed. Authorities are checking whether the missing include hikers, backpackers who were in the area Saturday, or people with advance campground bookings.
National Weather Service official Justin Johndrow said the area received half an inch to a full inch of rain in just about 30 minutes. Because of the steep, rocky terrain, the rainwater rushed downhill quickly, creating a devastating flood. Bright Angel Creek drops roughly 6,000 feet from the North Rim toward the Colorado River.
Authorities said more rain and thunderstorms are possible in the area through Monday, raising the risk of renewed flooding alongside the ongoing rescue effort.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Because of its remote terrain, steep cliffs and flash-flood risk, authorities must remain constantly vigilant about visitor safety there. The search for the missing continues in this incident.