RCMP says that after search activities in Lillooet, B.C. this week, the fallen bodies of three men were recovered and one individual is still missing.
B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe released a written statement on Saturday stating that only one body was found on Wednesday and two more were found on Thursday.
Looking for a fourth missing man continued on Friday, but they were unable to make any progress, according to the police.
Also on Monday, remains of a woman were found at the site of the mudslide, confirming the first death from the severe floods and landslides that hit the south of the province caused in part by the heavy rains over the weekend.
After all the searches, Lapointe said, the search efforts are complete, but talks continue about what to do next, discussing the best solutions.
At the moment, authorities are trying to identify the three people and notify their families.
RCMP officials have not been able to account for four people who were caught in a mudslide south of Lillooet on Highway 99.
One individual has been confirmed dead as searchers keep looking at the site of the mudslide in British Columbia.
I send my heartfelt sympathies to the families grieving their loved one’s untimely death and also to the missing person’s family we haven’t yet found,” Lapointe wrote in his statement.
Being through such a hard year in B.C., my thoughts and heart are with the many families and communities who have been affected by tragedy. Our goal at the BC Coroners Service will stay to find out the details of these incidents and, when possible, offer advice to avoid tragedies again in the future.
Searching for four people who are part of the mudslide that hit on November 15, affecting a stretch of Highway 99 or Duffey Lake Road, is being carried out jointly by law enforcement and teams of rescuers.
Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet explains that finding the last missing person is being slowed down by bad weather and problems with the location.
The highway is still closed to traffic and there is no news of when it will open.