4 dead, 3 missing after flooding in Zion National Park

ST. GEORGE, Utah — Four people were confirmed dead and three people still missing in Zion National Park on Tuesday evening, adding to the total of flood-related deaths in Washington County over the past two days.

The victims' bodies were discovered at the east side of Keyhole Canyon, a popular spot for hiking and canyoneering east of the main Zion Canyon, Aly Baltrus, a chief of interpretation and visitor services at the park, said in a press release.

Baltrus said rangers received a report that a group of seven individuals were canyoneering inside the canyon shortly before the flooding began late Monday.

Two unoccupied vehicles were located Monday evening and a search began Tuesday morning for the group. Continued rain and flash flood warnings were still in effect, hampering searchers' ability to access the more technical portions of the canyon, Baltrus said.

Death toll rises to 12 in Utah flash flood; 1 still missing

Names of those involved were not being released, pending notification of family.

A permit is required to travel through Keyhole Canyon, and individuals must complete several short rappels and swim through several pools of water to make it through.

The Zion incident adds to the death toll in what has been a tragic two days of flooding in eastern Washington County.

At least 12 others, mostly children, were killed in flooding in nearby Hildale, a town south of the park. Two vehicles carrying 16 people were swept into a flood channel late Monday. Three people were saved, and one remained missing as of late Tuesday.

Contributing: The Associated Press