A devastating mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, has resulted in the confirmed loss of three lives, with one individual still missing. The incident occurred on November 15 along Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—following several days of intense rainfall and severe weather conditions that led to unstable terrain.
B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed the recovery of the first individual on Wednesday, with two more found the next day. Despite extensive efforts by search and rescue teams, the fourth person has not yet been located. Authorities have since paused the search after all avenues were thoroughly explored.
Earlier in the week, the body of a woman was found in the same region, marking the first confirmed fatality related to the recent series of floods and landslides affecting southern British Columbia.
Emergency teams, including RCMP and provincial crews, worked under challenging and hazardous conditions to reach affected areas, navigating unstable ground and ongoing rainfall. Officials are continuing the process of identifying the victims and reaching out to their families.
“This year has brought unimaginable hardship,” said Lapointe in a public statement. “My heart goes out to the families mourning these sudden, tragic losses.”
Continue reading on next page…