Authorities said on the 30th (local time) that a sudden flash flood hit the Grand Canyon, the United States' vast gorge, leaving more than 20 people missing or out of contact.

A photo released on the 30th (local time) via X (formerly Twitter) by the Grand Canyon National Park Service shows the remaining stone pier debris after a pedestrian bridge over Bright Angel Creek is destroyed by a flash flood on the 29th. /Courtesy of AFP-Yonhap

According to the Washington Post (WP), Grand Canyon National Park said on social media (SNS) that "at about 2:30 p.m. the previous day, a flash flood occurred in parts of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, prompting an emergency evacuation order."

According to the park, the sudden surge of water stranded tourists, but at least 62 people were evacuated by helicopter by the morning. No injuries were reported among those evacuated.

The flooded areas included the Bright Angel Creek vicinity, the North Kaibab Trail, and Phantom Ranch. The entire North Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch were closed until further notice.

The National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement that "there is currently no timeline for reopening these areas, and additional closures within the Grand Canyon are possible."

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