A devastating mudslide occurred on November 15 along Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, south of Lillooet, British Columbia, following extreme rainfall and severe flooding in the region. The disaster prompted an extensive search-and-rescue operation led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local emergency teams, who worked under difficult and dangerous conditions to locate missing individuals.
Initially, four men were reported missing after the slide. Over the course of several days, search teams recovered the bodies of three men—one on Wednesday and two more on Thursday. Despite continued efforts on Friday, the fourth individual could not be located. Earlier in the week, the body of a woman was also discovered at the site, marking the first confirmed fatality linked to the broader flooding crisis in southern British Columbia.
Authorities have since concluded the active search, stating that all possible avenues have been exhausted. Efforts were significantly hindered by poor weather conditions and unstable terrain, making the area unsafe and difficult to access. The affected section of Highway 99 remains closed, and officials have not yet provided a timeline for when it may reopen.
B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized the emotional toll of the tragedy on communities across the province. Officials are currently working to identify the deceased and notify their next of kin, while also reviewing the circumstances surrounding the disaster to help prevent similar incidents in the future.