The bodies of three men have been recovered from a mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, while one individual remains missing, following search operations conducted earlier this week, according to the RCMP.
On Wednesday, authorities recovered one body, and two additional bodies were found on Thursday, B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed in a written statement released on Saturday.
Search efforts for a fourth man reported missing continued on Friday, but unfortunately, those attempts were unsuccessful, she added.
Earlier, on Monday, the body of a woman was recovered from the mudslide site, marking the first confirmed fatality linked to the severe flooding and landslides that have affected southern B.C., exacerbated by the extreme rainfall over the past weekend.
Lapointe stated that all search avenues have now been exhausted and the search efforts have officially concluded, though discussions are ongoing to determine the next steps.
Authorities are currently working to identify the three men and notify their families.
Four individuals remain unaccounted for following the mudslide south of Lillooet along Highway 99, according to the RCMP. So far, one death has been confirmed, while rescue teams continue to sift through debris from the slide.
“I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the families mourning the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved one, and to the family of the missing individual whom we have not yet been able to locate,” Lapointe said.
“This has been an extremely challenging year for all of us in B.C., and my heart goes out to the numerous families and communities affected by these tragic events. At the BC Coroners Service, we remain committed to establishing the facts surrounding these tragedies for the public record and, wherever possible, to provide recommendations to prevent similar fatalities in the future.”
Law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams have been actively looking for four individuals connected to the November 15 mudslide, which struck a portion of Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road.
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet noted that search operations for the fourth missing person have been hampered by harsh weather and difficult terrain.
The area remains closed to motorists, with no projected date for the reopening of the highway.
