The deaths of three men and the disappearance of one have been confirmed following a devastating landslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The landslide, which occurred on November 15 on Highway 99 (Duffey Lake Road), was triggered by heavy rain and severe weather.
British Columbia’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, reported that one body was recovered on Wednesday and two more on Thursday. A fourth man remains missing despite continued search efforts, which were finally halted after all avenues were exhausted.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, the body of a woman was recovered from the landslide site, marking the first confirmed death from the region’s landslides and flooding.
Search efforts, led by the RCMP and rescue teams, have faced significant challenges due to dangerous site conditions and persistent bad weather. Authorities are working to identify the deceased and notify their families.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families mourning the loss of their loved ones,” Lapointe said. “This has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone in British Columbia.”
The British Columbia Coroner’s Service continues to investigate the deaths and seeks to provide recommendations to prevent future tragedies
Highway 99 remains closed and there is no timeline for its reopening. The area remains dangerous for drivers due to unstable terrain.
The incident is part of a series of weather disasters that have caused widespread disruption in southern British Columbia, highlighting the growing impact of extreme weather events on local communities.
