Floods in the Grand Canyon leave one dead and 20 missing

A man died and about 20 people are missing or untraceable in the Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona, where unexpected flooding was recorded on Saturday, the United States National Park Service (NPS) reported. In addition, around 60 tourists had to be evacuated, but the number could increase as further torrential rain is forecast on Monday.

On Sunday night, the agency reported on the social network X that the body of a 42-year-old man had been found near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River.

“Grand Canyon National Park staff, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, continue evacuation efforts and try to locate people who may have been in the affected areas,” the NPS said in a statement reproduced by EFE.

The agency also asked that anyone with information about hikers who were in the affected areas contact park authorities.

"Flooding caused significant damage throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all of the pedestrian walkways crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed," the NPS added, detailing that access to the Colorado River in the area and other bridges remain closed until further notice.