The RCMP has confirmed that the bodies of three men have been recovered from a mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, while one man remains missing. The slide, which struck along Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—was triggered by severe flooding and heavy rainfall that swept through the southern part of the province last weekend. According to B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, one victim was found on Wednesday, followed by two more on Thursday. Earlier in the week, on Monday, search crews recovered the body of a woman, marking the first confirmed fatality from the disaster.
Efforts to locate the fourth missing man continued into Friday but were unsuccessful due to dangerous weather conditions and unstable terrain. Lapointe said all active search operations have now ended, though discussions are ongoing about possible next steps. Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the deceased and to notify their families.
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us in B.C.,” Lapointe said. “My heart goes out to the families and communities who have suffered tragic losses. We will continue to determine the facts surrounding these deaths for the public record and, where possible, make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet noted that the search for the final missing person has been hampered by hazardous site conditions, making parts of the area inaccessible. The section of Highway 99 where the slide occurred remains closed to traffic, and there is no indication of when it will reopen.
For now, the focus shifts to supporting the grieving families, many of whom have been left reeling from the sudden and devastating loss of their loved ones in one of the most destructive weather events the region has faced in years.