Search and rescue teams have recovered three bodies from a mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, with one person still unaccounted for following severe flooding and landslides that struck the region.
The mudslide occurred on November 15 on Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, after extreme rainfall impacted southern British Columbia. A woman’s body was recovered from the site on Monday, marking the first confirmed fatality from the disaster.
Search Efforts Continue
Authorities retrieved three additional bodies from the debris this week, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Search operations continued through Friday as crews worked to locate a fourth missing person, though those efforts remained unsuccessful.
Law enforcement and search and rescue teams have been conducting ongoing operations since the mudslide struck. The highway remains closed to motorists, with no timeline announced for reopening.
The Response
Officials are working to identify the three men and notify their families of the recovery. “I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who are now grieving the sudden and unexpected death of their loved one,” said a provincial official in a statement.
The BC Coroners Service said it will continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. “My heart goes out to the numerous families and communities that have endured tragic losses,” the official added.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
