Keonjhar: In a major mishap, at least three persons died in a landslide due to incessant rains at an illegal manganese mine in Joda in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Tuesday. 

The incident occured in Bichakundi forest which comes under Joda police limits, late in the night. The deceased were identified as Kande Munda, Guru Champia and Sandeep Poorti. All three were residents of Bichakundi. 

The trio had reportedly gone to the site to steal iron ore when a portion of the illegal manganese mine collapsed following incessant rainfall, burying all of them in the debris. Sources said the three of them were part of a large gang involved in iron ore smuggling in the region. While they were trapped in the landslide, other members of themafia managed to escape.

Forest and police personnel reached the spot as soon as they got information and started rescue operations. However, the bodies were recovered after almost six hours as heavy downpour impeded their efforts, and sent to Tata Steel Hospital for postmortem.

The mishap has once again raised concerns on the rampant theft of minerals and illegal mining activities in the industrial hub. There has been no official statement from the Mining division authorities regarding the incident, till reports last came in.