A mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, has left four people dead and one missing, the RCMP confirmed. B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said, “I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who are now mourning the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved one, and to the family of the missing person we have yet to locate.”
The disaster followed heavy rainfall last weekend, triggering flooding and landslides. The first victim was a woman found earlier, followed by three men confirmed dead in recent days. Search efforts for the missing person were hampered by dangerous weather and unstable terrain, leading officials to suspend active recovery for now.
Law enforcement and search-and-rescue crews continue working to identify victims and notify families. Highway 99, a vital route in the area, remains closed with no reopening timeline.
For loved ones and the wider community, the grief is immense. Lives were taken suddenly, “without warning, in a place where many simply sought to travel or live in peace.”
The tragedy highlights the power of nature and the need for compassion, preparedness, and solidarity as B.C. and Canada mourn those lost.