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The remains of three men have been recovered from a mudslide near Lillooet, B.C., with one individual still missing, following search efforts conducted this week, as reported by the RCMP.
On Wednesday, one deceased person was found, while two more bodies were discovered on Thursday, according to B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe in a written statement issued on Saturday.
Search efforts for a fourth man who has been reported missing continued on Friday; however, these efforts were unsuccessful, she remarked.
Furthermore, on Monday, the body of a woman was retrieved from the site of the slide, representing the first confirmed fatality due to 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 indicated, although discussions are still ongoing to determine the most appropriate course of action moving forward.
Authorities are presently working to identify the three men and to notify their next of kin.
Four individuals remain unaccounted for following a mudslide south of Lillooet on Highway 99, according to the RCMP.
One person has been confirmed deceased as rescue teams continue their search through the debris resulting from the B.C. mudslide.
“I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who are now mourning the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved one, and to the family of the missing person we have yet to locate,” Lapointe expressed in the announcement.
This year has posed significant challenges for all of us in British Columbia, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the many families and communities that have suffered tragic losses. At the BC Coroners Service, we remain committed to uncovering the facts surrounding these tragedies for the public record and, where possible, offering recommendations to prevent similar fatalities in the future.
Law enforcement, in collaboration with search-and-rescue teams, has been diligently searching for four individuals associated with a mudslide that took place on November 15, impacting a section of Highway 99, commonly known as Duffey Lake Road.
B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet has reported that the search for the fourth missing person has been complicated by inclement weather and difficult site conditions.
The area continues to be inaccessible to drivers, with no clear timeline for when the highway will be reopened.