Three Men Dead After Massive Mudslide Near Lillooet as Fourth Person Remains Missing

Three men have been found dead following a massive mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, while authorities have ended an extensive search for a fourth person who remains missing after days of dangerous recovery efforts.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and search-and-rescue teams spent several days combing through debris near Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, after a powerful mudslide tore through the area on November 15. The slide pushed soil, rocks and debris across the landscape, leaving behind unstable conditions that created serious challenges for emergency crews.

Search teams faced difficult weather, hazardous terrain and the continuing possibility of additional landslides as they worked through the affected area.

“Difficult weather and hazardous terrain presented substantial obstacles for investigators and search teams,” B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said.

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said crews continued searching for the remaining missing person through Friday. Authorities eventually called off the active search after determining that all available search options had been exhausted.

Three Victims Recovered

Officials have not released the identities of the three men whose bodies were recovered. Authorities said formal identification must be completed and the victims’ families notified before their names can be made public.

The deaths occurred as parts of southern British Columbia experienced extreme rainfall, flooding and landslides, causing widespread damage and major transportation disruptions.

A woman’s body had previously been recovered from another section of the affected area. That recovery brings the confirmed death toll associated with the disaster to four, while one person remains unaccounted for.

The affected stretch of Highway 99 remains closed as officials evaluate the stability and safety of the area. Authorities have not provided a firm date for reopening the important transportation route.

Investigation Continues

The BC Coroners Service continues to investigate the deaths and circumstances surrounding the mudslide. Officials are also assessing conditions in the area and the potential risks posed by further landslides.

The disaster has underscored the dangers faced by emergency personnel working in unstable terrain after severe weather. Crews operating around mudslides and flooding can face rapidly changing conditions, falling debris and the possibility of additional ground movement.

Authorities continue to urge the public to stay away from restricted areas while assessments and recovery operations proceed.