The remains of three men have been recovered from a mudslide near Lillooet, B.C., with one person still missing, following search efforts conducted this week, as reported by the RCMP.
On Wednesday, one deceased individual was found, while two more bodies were discovered on Thursday, according to a written statement issued on Saturday by B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.
Search efforts to locate a fourth man who was reported missing continued on Friday; however, these endeavors were unsuccessful, she remarked.
Furthermore, on Monday, the body of a woman was retrieved from the slide area, representing the first confirmed death resulting from the severe flooding and landslides that have affected the southern part of the province, which is partly attributed to the heavy rainfall experienced last weekend.
As all search options have been exhausted, the search operations have now been concluded, Lapointe stated, although discussions are still in progress to determine the most appropriate course of action moving forward.
Authorities are presently engaged in efforts to identify the three men and to notify their next of kin.
According to the RCMP, four individuals are currently unaccounted for following a mudslide that occurred south of Lillooet on Highway 99.
One individual has been confirmed deceased as rescue teams continue their search through the debris resulting from the B.C. mudslide.
In the announcement, Lapointe expressed, “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.”
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“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, in collaboration with search-and-rescue teams, has been actively searching for four individuals associated with a mudslide that took place on November 15, impacting a section of Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road.
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet noted that the search for the fourth missing individual has been impeded by adverse weather conditions and difficult site circumstances.
The area remains inaccessible to motorists, with no indication of when the highway will be reopened.
