LILLOOET, B.C. — Authorities have recovered the bodies of three men following a devastating mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, while one additional person remains missing after an extensive search of the debris-covered area.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and search-and-rescue teams spent several days working near Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, after the slide struck the region. The operation was complicated by unstable terrain, difficult weather and the continuing risk of additional movement in the debris.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said search crews continued looking for the missing person through Friday but were unable to locate any further evidence. Authorities have now ended the active search after determining that available search options had been exhausted.
Officials are working to formally identify the three men whose remains were recovered and notify their families before releasing their identities publicly.
The deaths occurred amid widespread flooding and landslides that affected parts of southern British Columbia following periods of extreme rainfall. A woman’s body was recovered from another affected area earlier in the week, marking the first confirmed fatality associated with the broader disaster.
With the discovery of the three men, the confirmed death toll linked to the incident has risen to four, while another person remains unaccounted for.
Lapointe expressed condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging the devastating impact of the disaster and the difficult circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The mudslide struck on Nov. 15, damaging part of Highway 99 and creating dangerous conditions for emergency crews. Large amounts of earth, rock and debris made access difficult, while unstable ground forced responders to carefully evaluate the risks before entering affected areas.
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said hazardous conditions and challenging weather significantly complicated the search operation.
The disaster has also caused major transportation disruptions. The affected portion of Highway 99 remains closed, with authorities yet to provide a firm timeline for reopening the route. The highway serves as an important transportation corridor through the region and its continued closure could affect residents, travelers and commercial traffic.
The BC Coroners Service is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Officials are expected to examine the events leading up to the mudslide and determine whether additional safety measures or recommendations may be appropriate to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
For the families of those affected, the conclusion of the active search provides some answers while leaving one person still missing.
Authorities continue to monitor the area and surrounding infrastructure as recovery efforts move forward across the region.
The investigation remains ongoing, while officials face the difficult task of balancing the need for answers and closure with the significant dangers posed by unstable terrain.
