A somber update has emerged from British Columbia, where the remains of three men have been recovered following a catastrophic mudslide near Lillooet. The slide, which struck earlier this week after an unprecedented rainfall event, has left one person still unaccounted for and a community reeling from grief.
An Ongoing Search Amid Devastating Loss
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), one body was discovered on Wednesday, with two additional remains located the following day. B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed the details in a statement issued Saturday, expressing condolences to the families affected.
Rescue teams have since concluded their official search efforts after exhaustive attempts failed to locate the fourth missing individual. On Monday, authorities also recovered the body of a woman—the first confirmed fatality linked to the flooding and landslides that have wreaked havoc across southern B.C.
“The search for the remaining missing person has been suspended, though discussions continue on how to proceed,” Lapointe shared, noting that poor weather and unstable terrain made the conditions especially treacherous for recovery teams.
A Province Under Pressure
This recent disaster adds to what has already been a difficult year for British Columbians. In addition to wildfires and heatwaves, now historic rainfall has contributed to flooding and landslides that have severed vital roadways and isolated entire towns.
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us in B.C.,” Lapointe stated. “At the BC Coroners Service, we remain committed to uncovering the facts behind these tragedies and, where possible, offering recommendations to prevent future loss of life.”
Highway Still Closed, Community Mourns
The section of Highway 99 near Duffey Lake Road—where the mudslide occurred—remains closed, and officials have yet to announce when it might reopen. The RCMP has confirmed that extreme weather continues to impede progress in the area, leaving local residents and families in anxious uncertainty.
Authorities are now working to formally identify the three deceased individuals and notify their families. In the meantime, British Columbia mourns yet another heartbreaking chapter in a year marked by environmental crisis.