20120424
AFP
Seven people were killed when flash floods hit as they were trekking through Kenya's Hell's Gate national park, authorities said Monday.

The victims, all Kenyan nationals, were part of a church youth group in a walking safari at the park located to the north-west of Nairobi.

"The seven people had gone missing just before dusk, when the group encountered sudden flash floods," the Kenya Wildlife Service said in a statement.

Kenya's main rainy season between March and May often causes floods and massive displacement across the east African country.

At least eight people perished earlier this month in a Nairobi slum when their homes were destroyed by boulders after a night of heavy rainfall.