Three persons were killed and five went missing when a bullock cart carrying 12 people fell into a canal at Mugalihal village in Savadatti taluk on Monday.

The incident occurred at around 8.30 pm when the 12 people were on their way to Mugalihal on the cart way parallel to the canal.

Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil said three bodies were recovered from  the canal, while four were rescued.

Search is on to trace the five people who are missing.

The Irrigation Department officials were requested to stop the release of water from Malaprabha dam as it had been hampering rescue efforts.

Divers were summoned to rescue the five missing persons.

The identity of the people rescued and those who drowned in the canal  was not known. With the incident taking place at night, rescue efforts too were affected, he said.

Murgod police have registered a case.