The hospital dormitory for females where a chopping attack took place.[Photo/news.qq.com]

Seven people died and another was injured in a chopping attack when a man stormed a hospital dormitory for females early Thursday morning in Qinhuangdao city, North China's Hebei province, haiwainet.cn reported citing local police.

Six nurses and a management worker died in the rampage and another nurse was wounded. The assault took place at 3:26 am, at the Beidaihe Sanatorium of Beijing Military Region. The injured nurse was later reportedly in a stable condition.

The suspect, Li Xiaolong, 27, was caught. He works at the hospital and is said to have a history of mental illness, according to local police.

Reports on people.com.cn said the alleged assailant received mental treatment in Beijing in 2006.

His motive is unknown and the case under investigation.