Three men’s bodies have been recovered from a mudslide near Lillooet, B.C., while a fourth man remains missing, according to the RCMP following search operations this week.
B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe stated in a Saturday news release that one body was found on Wednesday, and two more were recovered on Thursday.
Search efforts for the fourth missing man continued into Friday but were unsuccessful. Lapointe also confirmed that the first known victim of the mudslide—a woman—was found on Monday. The fatal incidents are linked to recent severe flooding and landslides in southern B.C., caused in part by intense rainfall over the previous weekend.
Lapointe noted that all viable search options have now been exhausted and operations have concluded, although authorities are still discussing next steps.
Officials are currently working to confirm the identities of the three men and notify their families.
The RCMP previously reported that four people were missing following the November 15 mudslide along Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, south of Lillooet.
Rescue teams have confirmed one death so far as they continued to search through the slide debris.
Lapointe expressed her sympathy: “My sincere condolences go to the families grieving the sudden and tragic loss of loved ones, and to the family of the person we have yet to locate.”
“This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for everyone in B.C.,” she added, “and our thoughts are with all the families and communities who have faced devastating losses. The BC Coroners Service remains committed to uncovering the circumstances of these events and, where possible, recommending measures to help prevent similar tragedies.”
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said efforts to locate the fourth missing person have been hampered by poor weather and hazardous conditions at the site.
The affected area remains closed to traffic, with no timeline for reopening the highway.