More than 150 people were deployed in the initial rescue operation in the Hoellentalklamm gorge on the flanks of the Zugspitze on Monday. Eight people were led to safety, some of them with minor injuries.

According to the police, at least two other people had been standing on a wooden bridge in the gorge when it was swept away by the flood wave. Further investigations into the identity of the dead person and circumstances of the death are being carried out by officers of the criminal investigation department.

The emergency services believe there is little chance of finding anyone alive, given the weather conditions and the time that has elapsed. “This is an absolutely desperate situation,” a police spokesman said, “but we are leaving no stone unturned.”

The identity of the dead person and the missing remains unclear. Police are currently checking guest lists at hotels and guest houses in and around the area.

The gorge is closed for the time being because of the volume of water. The German Weather Service had predicted thunderstorms and heavy rain on Monday – and these are not unusual in the area in summer.

“The priority now is the search,” the police spokesman said, but added that any mistakes made in view of the weather situation would have to be examined.

The police are currently looking after those rescued, who are now being questioned. According to initial information, there are no children among them. It is unclear whether they were locals or holidaymakers.