One person has died and about 15 others are feared missing after a flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon in the United States, destroying footbridges and forcing the evacuation of dozens of hikers and campers.
CNN reported that the National Park Service said the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River in what officials described as a flood-related death.
Officials had earlier estimated that as many as 20 people were missing or unaccounted for, but the figure was later revised to about 15 as authorities continued efforts to establish the whereabouts of those affected.
At least 62 people had been evacuated from the Grand Canyon by Sunday afternoon, while additional evacuations were being coordinated by park authorities and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The flooding began at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday after a series of storms moved across Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
The National Park Service said the event caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the area.
“Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek,” the agency said.
The floodwaters also significantly altered the creek, widening its bed and creating what appeared to be a new rapid.
Debris and metal structures carried into the Colorado River also forced officials to close the river to traffic on Sunday.
Authorities conducted helicopter searches along the North Kaibab Trail and the Colorado River, covering the area from the mouth of Bright Angel Creek to Deer Creek Narrows.
However, no missing people were located during the searches.
Some visitors described narrowly escaping the rapidly rising floodwaters. One couple reportedly saw bridges they had crossed only 15 minutes earlier being swept away as they made their way to safety.
Another hiker, David Gregory, said he noticed the creek near his campsite had changed dramatically as the flood approached.
“We realized the creek near camp was black with debris and flowing rapidly,” he told CNN.
The flooding has also damaged a water pipeline supplying the South Rim, leaving the park with limited water resources ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
As a result, all overnight hotel accommodations provided by park concessions will be suspended from Monday.
Campground spigots will also be shut off, although bathroom faucets will remain operational.
Authorities have additionally banned all wood-burning and charcoal fires on the South Rim, including campfires and barbecues.
Park officials warned that more storms could trigger additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfalls and rapidly changing trail and river conditions.
The National Park Service is urging anyone who knows hikers or backpackers who may have been in the affected areas to contact its tip line at 888-653-0009.
