Mangaluru: : In an unfortunate turn of events, the landslide at Panjikallu village, Bantwal taluk, about 30 kms from here, has resulted in the death of three persons, after four labourers got trapped under the mud on Wednesday. The incident occurred at 7pm.

Though three persons, labourers from Kerala, had been rescued and were shifted to the hospital, two of them succumbed at the hospital due to complications. The deceased have been identified as Biju from Palakkad, 45, Santhosh from Alappuzha, 46 and Babu from Kottayam, 46. The lone survivor in this tragedy, Johny from Kannur, 44, is recuperating at the hospital.

Regarding the cause of the death of the persons who were rescued, Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Sonawane said there could be multiple reasons for their deaths. Only the post-mortem report will give us a clear picture, he added.

The rubber tapping labourers from Kerala origin got buried under a pile of mud as a hill collapsed on the shed where they were residing on Wednesday night. Excavators were pressed into service to clear the pile of mud and three persons were removed from under the mud, after a three hour operation. Fire department personnel, Bantwal town police and rural stations and locals put in their efforts to rescue the victims.

The rubber tappers, who were working in nearby plantations, were put up in a shed belonging to Henry Carlo at Mukkuda. One of the labourers, Akhil, who was along with the other four, ran out of the shed as soon the rumbling sound of the hillock collapsing was heard. Others who weren’t quick on their feet found themselves trapped in the mud and rubble of the shed. The vehicles which were parked near the shed were damaged. The house of Henry, which is a few feet from the incident, was not damaged.

District in-charge minister Sunil Kumar and Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik, are expected to visit the site on Thursday.