Tragedy in B.C.: Three Bodies Recovered After Lillooet Mudslide; One Person Still Missing
LILLOOET, B.C. — Authorities have recovered the bodies of three men following a devastating mudslide near Highway 99, south of Lillooet, British Columbia. A fourth man remains missing, with search efforts hampered by poor weather and treacherous terrain, according to RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service.
The mudslide, which struck the region on November 15, was triggered by extreme rainfall that caused flooding and multiple landslides throughout southern B.C.
In a statement released Saturday, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed the sequence of recoveries: one body was located on Wednesday, and two more were recovered on Thursday. The body of a woman had previously been recovered on Monday, marking the first confirmed fatality from the slide.
Search-and-rescue teams, working closely with law enforcement, continued efforts on Friday to locate the fourth missing individual, but were unsuccessful. Lapointe noted that all viable search avenues have now been exhausted, and formal recovery operations have concluded — though discussions are ongoing about potential next steps.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who are now grieving the sudden and unexpected death of their loved ones, and to the family of the missing person we have so far been unable to locate,” said Lapointe.
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us in B.C., and my heart goes out to the numerous families and communities that have endured tragic losses.”
The section of Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, remains closed to motorists, with no timeline yet for reopening. B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet stated that ongoing safety concerns and unstable conditions are continuing to limit access to the area.
As the province recovers from yet another natural disaster, the BC Coroners Service has pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths and, where possible, provide recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.