Three Men Found Dead After British Columbia Mudslide; One Still Missing

Originally published: November 20, 2021, 12:16 PM

Authorities in British Columbia have confirmed the deaths of three men following a massive mudslide near Lillooet, Canada, earlier this week.

According to B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, one body was recovered on Wednesday, and two more were found Thursday as search crews combed through the slide area. A fourth man remains missing.

Efforts to find the missing person continued into Friday but were unsuccessful. Search operations have since been called off after all leads were exhausted, though officials say discussions are ongoing about potential next steps.

The mudslide occurred on November 15 along Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, after torrential rain triggered widespread flooding and landslides across southern British Columbia.

Earlier in the week, the body of a woman was recovered from the same site—marking the first confirmed fatality from the disaster.

“On behalf of the BC Coroners Service, I extend my deepest condolences to the families mourning these sudden and devastating losses, and to the family of the individual who remains missing,” Lapointe said in a public statement.

She added that 2021 has been especially difficult for the province and promised that her office would continue to investigate the events surrounding these tragedies, with the goal of helping prevent similar incidents in the future.

Search and rescue efforts have been hampered by dangerous weather and terrain, and officials say there’s no timeline yet for when the highway will reopen. The area remains closed to traffic as recovery and safety assessments continue.