Search teams in British Columbia have recovered the bodies of three men following a deadly mudslide near Lillooet, a small town in the southern part of the province. A fourth man remains missing, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
One body was found Wednesday, and two more were discovered on Thursday, said B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe in a statement released Saturday. The search for the fourth missing man continued Friday but was unsuccessful.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, the body of a woman was recovered from the same slide area. She was the first confirmed fatality from the extreme flooding and landslides that swept across southern British Columbia, fueled by record-breaking rainfall last weekend.
With no additional leads to pursue, authorities have now called off active search efforts, Lapointe said. However, officials are still discussing next steps and evaluating options for further action.
Efforts are ongoing to identify the deceased men and notify their families.
Four people had initially been reported missing after the November 15 mudslide on Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road. Rescue crews have been working through difficult terrain and poor weather conditions to search for the missing.
“The search for the fourth missing person has been especially challenging due to the hazardous conditions in the area,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet. The highway remains closed to traffic, and no timeline has been given for its reopening.
“This has been a devastating year for many in B.C.,” Lapointe said. “My heart is with the families who have lost loved ones and the community members who continue to deal with these tragedies. At the BC Coroners Service, we remain committed to uncovering the facts and, where possible, making recommendations to help prevent similar events in the future.”