Two confirmed dead after flash flood in Kenyan national park

Five people still missing after incident at Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park in Kenya was closed to the public after seven people went missing after being swept away by a flash flood. Getty Images

Two people have been confirmed dead and five are missing after flash floods swept away a tour group during heavy rain at a Kenyan national park.

The Kenyan Wildlife Service said the victims at Hell’s Gate National Park were six Kenyans including a tourist guide, and one foreigner.

The park was closed to the public because of the continuing rain. A helicopter was sent from Nairobi to help with the search and rescue operation.

"It is with deep sorrow that we announce a tragedy this evening in Hell's Gate National Park in Naivasha, in which an unknown number of tourists are feared to have drowned in flash floods while others survived," the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism said.

"The ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is co-ordinating government agencies in a search and rescue operation.

"Our hearts and prayers are with family and loved ones of those who died in the tragedy."

A police officer told AFP that the rest of the missing were "presumed dead", based on accounts from survivors.