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 from B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe released on Saturday.
Search efforts for a fourth man who was reported missing continued on Friday; however, these efforts 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 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 after a mudslide occurred south of Lillooet on Highway 99, as reported by the RCMP.
One individual has been confirmed dead while rescue teams continue their efforts to search through the debris caused by the B.C. mudslide.
“I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families who are mourning the sudden and unforeseen loss of their loved one, as well as to the family of the missing person whom we have yet to find,” Lapointe remarked in the announcement.
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 stated that the search for the fourth missing person has been obstructed by unfavorable weather and difficult site conditions.
The region continues to be unreachable for motorists, with no information available regarding when the highway will be reopened.
