Eight people were killed when a landslide caused a hillside water channel to collapse in north China's Hebei Province on Thursday, a local government source said.

The accident occurred at around 1:00 AM near Beihengkou Village of Jingxing County.

Water and rubble fell down onto a residential area at the foot of the hill, damaging a two-storey building and burying eight villagers under debris.

The local government said they have stepped up safety measures against new accidents.

Local residents said improper digging may have caused the accident, but investigations are still underway.

(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2005)