Eight people were killed in a water channel cave-in Thursday in north China's Hebei Province, a local government source said.

The accident occurred at around 1:00 AM near the Beihengkou Village of Jingxing County when a hillside irrigation channel suddenly broke down.

Water and landslide gushed down to residential areas, damaging a two-story building at the foot of the hill and burying eight villagers under debris.

The local government has stepped up safety measures against new accidents. Investigation into the cause of the tragedy is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2005)