Twenty People Unaccounted For After Grand Canyon Flash Flooding

A search operation is underway in the Grand Canyon after twenty-one people were reported missing following flash flooding in the Havasupai Reservation area. The floods, which occurred on Saturday night, prompted the immediate evacuation of approximately 200 tourists and residents from Supai Village and nearby campgrounds.

Reports indicate that rising water levels affected areas including Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls, which are popular destinations for hikers and campers. The Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestral lands encompass these areas, initiated the evacuation and closed the reservation to tourism indefinitely.

Emergency services, including the National Park Service and local authorities, are coordinating efforts to locate those unaccounted for. Access to Supai Village, situated eight miles from the Grand Canyon's South Rim, is challenging, primarily accessible by foot, pack animal, or helicopter, complicating search and rescue operations. Authorities have not yet released details regarding potential casualties or injuries, focusing on the immediate recovery and safety of those in the affected region.