Devastation and sorrow grip the community near Lillooet, British Columbia, following a deadly mudslide that claimed at least four lives earlier this week. What began as a relentless downpour resulted in widespread flooding and catastrophic landslides across southern B.C., culminating in a massive slide that swept across a section of Highway 99 — the Duffey Lake Road — on November 15.

On Monday, the first victim — a woman — was discovered amid the wreckage of fallen trees and debris scattered across the area. Her recovery marked the beginning of a weeklong operation that would tragically confirm the fates of several others feared missing.

In a somber update issued Saturday, B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed that the bodies of three additional individuals — all men — had since been recovered from the mudslide site. The first of those three was located on Wednesday, followed by the other two on Thursday, after intensive efforts by emergency responders and specialized search-and-rescue teams.

“The recovery efforts have been exhaustive, and with all known leads pursued, the active search has now concluded,” Lapointe said in a written statement. “However, ongoing discussions are taking place to determine how best to proceed in the longer term.”

Authorities are now working to confirm the identities of the three men and are in the process of notifying their families.

In her statement, Lapointe extended her deepest sympathies: “I also offer my heartfelt condolences to the families who are now grieving the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved ones, and to the family of the individual we have not yet been able to locate.”

“This has been an incredibly difficult year for all of us in British Columbia,” she continued. “My heart goes out to the many families and communities who have endured such heartbreaking tragedies. At the BC Coroners Service, our commitment is to uncover the circumstances surrounding these events for the public record, and when possible, to make recommendations that may help prevent similar losses in the future.”

The mudslide — fueled by days of torrential rain and unstable terrain — tore through a section of the mountainous highway, burying vehicles and cutting off access to remote communities. B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet explained that while three individuals have now been recovered, efforts to locate the fourth missing person — a man — have been severely hampered by ongoing poor weather and dangerous site conditions.

Crews continued searching on Friday in the hopes of locating the final missing individual, but those attempts yielded no success.

The stretch of Highway 99 affected by the slide remains closed to traffic, with no estimated timeline for reopening. Authorities continue to monitor the area, which remains unstable and dangerous due to the sheer scale of debris and ongoing rain.

The Lillooet tragedy has become one of the most heart-wrenching chapters in what has already been a devastating season for British Columbia. A province reeling from wildfires, heatwaves, and now deadly floods faces a long road to recovery. The resilience of first responders, volunteers, and affected communities stands as a testament to the human spirit — but the scars left behind will take time to heal.

As investigations continue, and as B.C. confronts the challenges of an increasingly volatile climate, this week’s losses underscore the urgent need for preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and compassion in the face of natural disaster.