LILLOOET, B.C. — Authorities have recovered the bodies of three men following a devastating mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, while one additional person remains unaccounted for after an extensive search of the debris.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and search-and-rescue crews spent days examining the affected area along Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road. The operation was complicated by unstable terrain, difficult weather and the extensive debris left by the slide.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said efforts to locate the remaining missing person continued into Friday but produced no further results. With available search options exhausted, authorities have concluded the active search while discussions continue on appropriate next steps.
Officials are working to formally identify the three men whose remains were recovered and notify their families before releasing additional public information.
The discoveries add to the growing death toll linked to severe flooding and landslides that struck parts of southern British Columbia after extreme rainfall. A woman’s body was recovered from another section of the affected area earlier in the week, marking the first confirmed fatality connected to the disaster.
Lapointe expressed condolences to the families, acknowledging the sudden and devastating circumstances of the deaths.
The mudslide occurred on Nov. 15, damaging a section of Highway 99 and creating hazardous conditions for emergency personnel. Rescue teams worked carefully through unstable debris while authorities assessed the risk of additional slides and flooding.
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said challenging weather and hazardous conditions significantly complicated the search for the remaining missing individual.
The incident has caused major transportation disruptions. The affected portion of Highway 99 remains closed to motorists, and authorities have not provided a timeline for reopening the key regional corridor. Prolonged closures could affect residents, travelers and commercial traffic.
The BC Coroners Service will continue working to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and, where possible, identify recommendations that could help prevent similar fatalities.
For families awaiting answers, the end of the active search brings a painful reality. Three people have been recovered, while another remains missing despite days of intensive efforts. Authorities continue assessing the site and surrounding infrastructure as the region recovers from the broader impact of the extreme weather. The investigation remains ongoing.
