Tragic news has been confirmed in British Columbia as authorities report that the bodies of three men have been recovered from the site of a devastating mudslide near Lillooet, while one individual still remains unaccounted for despite exhaustive search efforts throughout the week, according to the RCMP. The deadly mudslide, which struck a section of Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—has left the province mourning multiple losses and dealing with the widespread destruction caused by a series of extreme weather events.
Officials confirmed that the first body was recovered on Wednesday, with two more discovered the following day, bringing the total number of confirmed male victims to three. B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe released a written statement on Saturday, acknowledging the recovery efforts and noting that although searches continued Friday in hopes of locating a fourth man who had been reported missing, those attempts were unsuccessful due to the treacherous conditions. Earlier in the week, on Monday, the body of a woman was recovered at the site, marking the first confirmed fatality connected to the landslide and underscoring the dangerous toll that the flooding and slides have taken on the southern part of the province. Authorities have attributed the disaster in part to the extreme rainfall that pounded the region last weekend, overwhelming already saturated ground and triggering the catastrophic slide.
Lapointe emphasized in her statement that with every available search avenue exhausted, operations have officially concluded, though conversations continue about the most appropriate steps moving forward. Authorities are now working to identify the three men whose bodies were recovered and to notify their next of kin, a process that is both delicate and devastating for the families involved. At one point during the recovery process, RCMP confirmed that four individuals were unaccounted for in connection with the slide, which swept across Highway 99 south of Lillooet on November 15, trapping vehicles and burying the roadway in tons of debris. While three of the missing men and the woman have now been located, the absence of the fourth individual remains a painful reminder of the destructive force of nature.
In her message, Lapointe expressed her condolences, stating, “I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who are now grieving the sudden and unexpected death of their loved one, and to the family of the missing person we have so far been unable to locate.” She went on to reflect on the broader toll of recent disasters, noting, “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. At the BC Coroners Service, we will continue to strive to ascertain the facts surrounding these tragedies for the public record and, where feasible, provide recommendations to avert similar fatalities in the future.”
Law enforcement and search-and-rescue crews had been working tirelessly in the days following the slide, combing through unstable terrain made even more hazardous by relentless rainfall, loose soil, and unpredictable site conditions. Their efforts were not only hampered by the difficult environment but also by the ongoing risks of further landslides in the area. Despite the dangers, teams pressed on to recover those missing, demonstrating extraordinary commitment in the face of adversity. B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet explained that the search for the fourth missing person was significantly hindered by these adverse weather conditions and the instability of the site.
She emphasized that while the desire to bring closure to the grieving families was strong, the safety of rescue workers had to remain the top priority, especially with the ground conditions making every movement precarious. The section of Highway 99 impacted by the mudslide remains closed, with no indication of when it will reopen. The closure has cut off a vital roadway in the region, complicating travel and logistics for nearby communities and adding another layer of hardship to an already dire situation. Residents in the surrounding areas have expressed both frustration and understanding, recognizing that while the closure is inconvenient, it is necessary to ensure the safety of travelers until the area can be stabilized.
This mudslide is one of several natural disasters to hit British Columbia in recent months, following a year of wildfires, flooding, and destructive weather events that many experts warn are worsening due to climate change. The combination of record rainfall, weakened landscapes, and vulnerable infrastructure has placed enormous strain on both residents and emergency services. For families who lost loved ones in the slide, however, the focus now turns to grieving and healing. While the recovery of the three men and the woman offers some measure of closure, the ongoing absence of the fourth individual is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature’s power and the human cost it can exact.
As officials continue to support the affected families and communities, this tragedy stands as yet another urgent call for preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather. For now, the people of B.C. mourn the lives lost while bracing themselves for what increasingly feels like a new era of climate-driven challenges.
