Two hikers dead and seven rescued in flooding on the Caribbean island of Martinique

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Nine hikers on the French Caribbean island of Martinique were swept away by a swollen river, leaving two of them dead and seven requiring a rescue, officials said Wednesday.

The group was hiking near the Didier waterfall in the capital, Fort-de-France, when the waters suddenly rose, according to a government statement issued late Tuesday. It gave no nationalities or other details for the hikers.

Authorities said they used a helicopter and drones with infrared vision to rescue seven hikers who were found conscious and an eighth one who was in cardiac arrest and later died. They said Wednesday that the body of the ninth hiker was found after a search.

Heavy rains have pelted the island in recent days and are expected to continue until Friday, prompting forecasters to issue warnings this week.