Three men have been found dead after a mudslide near Lillooet, B.C., with one person still missing, according to RCMP. The first body was recovered Wednesday, and two more on Thursday, B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed Saturday. The search for the fourth missing man ended Friday without success.
Earlier in the week, a woman’s body was also found at the slide site, marking the first confirmed fatality from the severe flooding and landslides that hit southern B.C. after extreme rainfall last weekend.
“All search avenues have been exhausted,” Lapointe said. Authorities are now discussing next steps and working to identify the deceased and notify their families.
The mudslide occurred on November 15 on Highway 99 (Duffey Lake Road). Search teams faced “adverse weather and challenging site conditions,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet.
Lapointe offered her condolences: “My heart goes out to the families… and to the family of the missing person we have so far been unable to locate.” She added, “We will continue to strive to ascertain the facts… and, where feasible, provide recommendations to avert similar fatalities in the future.” The highway remains closed, with no reopening date yet.