The bodies of three men have been retrieved from a mudslide near Lillooet, B.C., with one individual still unaccounted for, following search operations this week, according to the RCMP.
On Wednesday, one deceased individual was recovered, while two additional bodies were located on Thursday, as stated by B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe in a written statement released on Saturday.
Efforts to find a fourth man reported missing continued on Friday; however, these attempts were unsuccessful, she noted.
Additionally, on Monday, the body of a woman was recovered from the site of the slide, marking the first confirmed fatality resulting from the severe flooding and landslides that have impacted the southern region of the province, attributed in part to the extreme rainfall experienced last weekend.
As all search avenues have been exhausted, the search efforts have now concluded, Lapointe indicated, although discussions are ongoing to determine the best course of action moving forward.
Authorities are currently working to identify the three men and to inform their next of kin.
Four individuals are currently unaccounted for following a mudslide south of Lillooet on Highway 99, according to the RCMP.
One person has been confirmed deceased as rescue teams persist in their search through the debris resulting from the B.C. mudslide.
“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,” Lapointe stated in the announcement.
“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 conjunction with search-and-rescue teams, has been actively searching for four individuals linked to a mudslide that occurred on November 15, affecting a portion of Highway 99, also referred to as Duffey Lake Road.
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet indicated that the search for the fourth missing individual has been hindered by adverse weather and challenging site conditions.
The area remains inaccessible to motorists, with no indication of when the highway will be reopened.