KUNMING - Five people have been confirmed killed and three others injured in a landslide that hit Southwest China's Yunnan province early Wednesday, rescuers said.

The landslide occurred at 5 am in Xinzhai village under the city of Xuanwei, trapping eight people.

Three people were pulled out of the debris in the morning and suffered only minor injuries. They have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

Rescuers found the bodies of the remaining five at around 2 pm.

An investigation into the cause of the tragedy in under way.