A woman has been confirmed dead following a catastrophic mudslide on Highway 99 south of Lillooet, British Columbia, after severe rainfall triggered flooding and landslides across the southern region.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe confirmed the fatality on Tuesday. Authorities are continuing search operations for three men who remain unaccounted for as officials work to notify next of kin.
Hazardous weather and unstable terrain have significantly impeded search and rescue teams, according to RCMP spokesperson Janelle Shoihet. The dangerous conditions have prevented crews from locating a fourth missing individual.
Highway 99 remains completely closed to all traffic. Authorities have not provided an estimated timeline for when the highway will reopen to motorists.
Lapointe expressed condolences to affected families in an official statement, acknowledging the challenges the province has faced this year. The BC Coroners Service said it remains committed to establishing facts for the public record and exploring preventative measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
The incident underscores the dangerous impact of recent extreme weather events on British Columbian communities.
This story has been updated. CNN’s British Columbia Desk contributed to this report.