Five people were killed and another two were seriously injured when a kiln under construction collapsed on Wednesday in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the local government confirmed Friday.

The seven workers were excavating the kiln when two consecutive landslides buried them at 5:00 PM in Yaosheng village, Yijun County in the city of Tongchuan, said officials with the county's publicity department.

All-out rescue efforts saved only two of them. An investigation is going on, and the city and county governments have ordered an immediate safety overhaul of the local industries.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2007)