TAIYUAN - A landslide that left eight people dead on Monday in North China's Shanxi province has been confirmed as a geological disaster, local government authorities said Wednesday.

Continuous rainfall from July to early August saturated the soil and added weight to the slope, resulting in Monday's landslide in Chagou village in Shilou county, according to the county government.

A landslide in Shilou county, Shanxi province, causes 8 deaths on Aug 5, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Around 3 am Monday, a loess slope, estimated at about 1,400 cubic meters, collapsed and buried three cave-houses and two ordinary houses in the village.

It has been confirmed that eight migrant workers from neighboring Henan province died in the landslide.

The contractor who arranged lodging for the workers has been taken into police custody.

Local governments have relocated nearby residents to protect them from secondary disasters.

Rescuers work at the site of landslide in Shilou county, Shanxi province, Aug 5, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]