Hikers feared missing after flash flooding hits Grand Canyon

More than 20 individuals are thought to be missing or unaccounted for after flash flooding swept through parts of the Grand Canyon.

Key points

• It hit at around 14: 30 local time (22: 30 BST) on Saturday in Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
• The Phantom Ranch area can only be reached by foot, mule or by rafting the Colorado River, according to Grand Canyon National Park Lodges.
• The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular national parks in the US, with regarding five million residents visiting each year.
• It cautioned that more thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were forecast for Sunday and Monday.
• Sixty-two individuals have so far been airlifted out of the area, with more anticipated to follow.

Sixty-two individuals have so far been airlifted out of the area, with more anticipated to follow. No injuries have been documented.

Meanwhile, the NPS remarked flooding had caused significant damage in some areas and that trails in the area have been closed.

It cautioned that more thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were forecast for Sunday and Monday. It could lead to "additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions".

In practice, the NPS asked anyone who knew of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday to obtain in touch.

Meanwhile, the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular national parks in the US, with regarding five million residents visiting each year. The Bright Angel trail is its most popular hike.

For context, the Phantom Ranch area can only be reached by foot, mule or by rafting the Colorado River, according to Grand Canyon National Park Lodges.

For now, hikers feared missing after flash flooding hits Grand Canyon remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.