One killed after rockslide in Yosemite National Park

Image source, AFP

Image caption, El Capitan is one of the best-known landmarks in Yosemite

One person has died and another has been injured by a rockslide in Yosemite National Park in California.

A park spokesman said the rocks fell from El Capitan, a rock formation above Yosemite Valley, on to a popular hiking trail shortly before 14:00 local time (21:00 GMT).

The park remains open and visitor services are not affected.

El Capitan is the world's largest granite monolith and one of the best-known landmarks in Yosemite.

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Speaking to KFSN-TV, climber Peter Zaybrok said: "I saw a piece of rock - white granite the size of an apartment building - suddenly just come peeling off the wall with no warning."

"Boy, I don't know how anybody could have survived that," he added.

, the park said the rockslide occurred in an area popular with climbers.

"The release point appears to be near the 'Waterfall Route', a popular climbing route on the East Buttress of El Capitan," it said.