A deadly flash flood swept through a section of the Grand Canyon on Tuesday, killing at least two hikers and leaving additional individuals missing, according to officials. Search and rescue teams were deployed to the area as conditions remained hazardous in the aftermath of the flooding.

The victims had been on a hiking trip in the canyon when the flood struck. Fox News reported that photographs taken during the group's hiking excursion in the days before the deaths had surfaced, offering a glimpse of the outing that preceded the tragedy.

Flash floods are a well-documented hazard at the Grand Canyon, particularly during monsoon season when sudden, intense rainfall can funnel rapidly through narrow canyon passages with little warning. Park officials routinely caution visitors about the risk, though the remote and rugged terrain can make evacuation difficult once conditions deteriorate.

Rescue teams faced challenging conditions in their efforts to locate those still unaccounted for. The National Park Service was coordinating the response, with the full scope of the disaster still being assessed as of Tuesday evening.

The Grand Canyon draws millions of visitors each year, and flash flood fatalities, while relatively rare, have occurred historically when hikers are caught in slot canyons or along riverbeds during storms. Officials urged visitors to monitor weather conditions and heed all posted warnings.