A deadly mudslide near Lillooet has left a community in mourning after days of intense rainfall destabilized the terrain. What began with hope for survivors has turned somber, as authorities confirm multiple fatalities tied to the disaster.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the bodies of three men have been recovered from the debris, while a fourth man remains missing. The slide swept through steep ground, leaving behind thick mud and loose rock that continue to shift, making rescue and recovery operations extremely dangerous.

According to Lisa Lapointe, crews recovered one body on Wednesday and two more on Thursday, often working without heavy equipment due to the risk of further slope failures. Efforts to find the remaining missing man were suspended Friday as worsening conditions made the site unsafe.

Earlier in the week, a woman’s body was also recovered from the area, marking the first confirmed storm-related death. As residents grieve, the tragedy has renewed concerns about extreme weather and land instability, highlighting the growing risks faced by vulnerable communities across southern British Columbia.