In British Columbia, a powerful mudslide has claimed the lives of four people, including a woman and three men, near the town of Lillooet. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported the grim recoveries, while a fifth person remains missing despite ongoing search efforts.
The first body was found midweek, with two more men recovered the next day. BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed the deaths and indicated that rescue teams halted the search for the missing individual due to hazardous conditions. The woman’s body, found earlier, was the first confirmed fatality related to the slide.
Heavy overnight rains caused multiple landslides and significant flooding in southern British Columbia, hitting communities and infrastructure hard. The mudslide swept across Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—leaving debris and destruction.
Search teams faced challenges including unstable ground and harsh weather, delaying recovery. Sergeant Janelle Shoihet of the RCMP stressed that worker safety is paramount amid these conditions.
The affected highway segment remains closed, disrupting travel and complicating rescue and relief operations. Local residents expressed concern over loss of access but understood the safety concerns.
This tragic event comes as part of ongoing extreme weather patterns in the region, with climate change cited as a contributing factor. Leaders have promised aid and mental health support for those impacted.
The community mourns the losses while officials continue investigations and work to strengthen disaster response for the future.
