At least 15 people are missing and one person has died after a flash flood struck Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, United States. Heavy rain on Saturday afternoon sent floodwaters through the park, with Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch among the hardest-hit areas.

National park authorities and the Arizona Department of Public Safety launched a joint rescue operation. By Sunday morning, more than 60 people had been airlifted from deep areas of the canyon. Nearly all pedestrian bridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, while boating on the Colorado River was suspended until further notice because of metal structures and large amounts of debris.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch canteen and cabins, and a major section of the North Kaibab Trail have been closed. Authorities are checking whether hikers, backpackers and people with campground reservations who were in the area on Saturday are among those missing. Officials said further rain and thunderstorms were possible through Monday, raising concerns of additional flooding as search efforts continue.