Eight people suffocated to death when two earthen caves suddenly collapsed in north China's Shanxi Province late on Tuesday, a local source said.

The accident happened at 11:20 PM at Macun Village of Xiaoyi Township, Wenshui County, which is about 75 kilometers south of Taiyuan, the provincial capital.

A preliminary investigation cited the weather change in early spring as the major reason for the collapse of the caves.

No details, such as identities of the victims, were available.

Further investigation is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)