The bodies of three men have been recovered from a devastating mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, while one individual remains missing, according to the RCMP. One body was retrieved on Wednesday, followed by two more on Thursday, B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed in a written statement. Search efforts for a fourth missing man continued into Friday but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Earlier in the week, the body of a woman was also recovered from the slide area, marking the first confirmed fatality linked to the severe flooding and landslides that struck southern B.C. after extreme rainfall. Authorities have now concluded active search operations, citing that all viable search avenues have been exhausted, though discussions continue about possible next steps.
Police and search-and-rescue teams had been combing through debris along Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, since the November 15 mudslide. Efforts to locate the final missing person were complicated by dangerous terrain and poor weather conditions. The highway remains closed, with no timeline announced for reopening.
Officials are working to formally identify the victims and notify their families. In her statement, Lapointe expressed condolences to those grieving and acknowledged the broader toll of a difficult year marked by natural disasters across the province. She emphasized that the BC Coroners Service will continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and, where possible, provide recommendations aimed at preventing similar losses in the future.