Liberia, Costa Rica—A hiker was killed early Thursday when a flash flood surged through a mountain ravine in the province of Guanacaste. The victim was traversing a popular trail near a river when the water level spiked without warning. Rescuers discovered the body downstream several hours after the incident was reported.

Heavy rains in the highlands created a surge of runoff that channeled rapidly into the lower canyons. Hikers in the area were caught off guard as the dry riverbed transformed into a torrent. The victim reportedly tried to find higher ground but was overtaken by the debris-laden current.

Local emergency committees had issued warnings regarding saturated ground and unpredictable river behavior earlier in the week. Despite these advisories, the speed at which the water rose made escape nearly impossible for those on the trail. Search and rescue personnel deployed drones to locate the victim in the dense jungle terrain.

The Red Cross coordinated the recovery effort, which was hampered by continued rainfall throughout the morning. Teams had to navigate slippery, unstable slopes to reach the riverbanks. The trail has been closed indefinitely while authorities evaluate the risk of further flooding.

Witnesses from a nearby lodge heard the roar of the water and alerted authorities immediately. They described the conditions as deteriorating within minutes. The intensity of the storm caught several other groups in the area, though they managed to reach safety in time.

The Judicial Investigation Agency is currently processing the scene to confirm the identity of the hiker. Formal reports regarding the incident are expected to be filed by Friday. The family of the deceased has been contacted by local officials.

This event has triggered a renewed focus on visitor safety within Costa Rica’s protected natural areas during the wet season. Tour operators are now required to check weather models before organizing group excursions into canyon-heavy zones. The government is reviewing access protocols for all national parks in the region.

Rescue teams have officially concluded the search as the area is cleared of potential threats. The local community remains under a high-alert status due to the forecast for more storms in the coming days.