Bhubnaswar, Aug. 15: At least three labourers lost their lives and three were critically injured after a heap of coal caved in on them at Dhamra port in Bhadrak district, about 150km from here, this afternoon.

The bodies of the three deceased are yet to be traced. The incident occurred around 12.15pm when the labourers were working near the coal site.

As soon as the news spread, local people rushed to the spot, forcibly entered the port premises and set a huge coal block on fire. They also torched a number of vehicles, including an ambulance, parked there.

Later, the local residents beat up Dhamra Port Company Limited chief executive officer Subrat Tripathy and vandalised his office. They also stole Tripathy's mobile phone, alleged an official of the port.

The port's security officer Rajiv Ghosh said: "The goons entered our premises and vandalised our property while we were busy co-ordinating with the police following the accident."

Bhadrak district collector confirmed the death of the three. "We are trying to bring the law and order situation under control. The district administration will bear the medical expenses of those injured."

Superintendent of police (SP) Anup Sahu and other senior police officers rushed to the spot following the accident. "The situation has been brought under control," the SP said.

Nuakhai

Nuakhai, the major harvest festival of west Odisha, will be held on August 26. The festival will start with a puja or offering at Maa Samaleswari Temple, the presiding deity of Sambalpur. The nabanna (new cooked food) will be offered between 9.05am and 9.15am on that day.