Search continues for missing person in deadly B.C. landslide; local state of emergency declared

A specialized search and rescue crew was called to the site of a landslide to search for occupants of an impacted home on Dec. 15, 2024.

The village of Lions Bay has declared a local state of emergency as the search continues for a missing person, after a house was swept away in a landslide on Saturday.

One person from the house has already been confirmed deceased.

Police have not identified either of the people connected to the house but have confirmed they are a couple.

"The province is going to be requested for some resources to bring in some technical experts to be able to do a search of the area and determine whether it's safe. Or what other issues there might be with infrastructure," said Insp. Robert Dykstra of the Sea to Sky RCMP.

The landslide occurred Saturday morning at Magnesia Creek near Brunswick Beach Road, shutting down Highway 99 in both directions just north of Lions Bay. A significant amount of mud and debris have made the area unsafe, said Dykstra.

"The house has been completely swept off its foundation. It is no longer up the hill where it was and is down near the bottom of the hill in pieces," Dykstra told CTV News.

Canada Task Force 1, a Vancouver-based heavy urban search and rescue team, helped with the search and recovery efforts on Saturday and Sunday.

Most of the debris from the slide had been cleared from Highway 99 and traffic resumed through the area on Sunday morning down to a single lane in each direction, to allow crews room to continue cleanup efforts.

An RCMP roadblock is in place to prevent access to Crystal Falls Road, close to where the house was swept away and the search for the missing person remains active.

In a statement announcing the local state of emergency, Lions Bay Mayor Ken Berry said it would allow the village to access additional provincial resources.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and members of our Community," he wrote. "In addition, we would like to thank all first responders and supporting agencies for their dedication and professionalism during this challenging time."