MANILA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people died and dozens more missing in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Naga City in the central Philippine Cebu province Thursday, authorities said.

Carmelino Cruz, Naga City councilor told the ANC news channel that about 50 to 80 people may have been buried alive in the landslide.

He said the ground is still soft, making it difficult for the rescuers to operate. "Every now and then you can feel the ground vibrate."

"Our main concern is search and rescue. We would like to concentrate on saving as many as we can," Cruz added.

Authorities and witnesses said the landslide occurred shortly before 6 a.m. local time and buried dozens of houses in the villages of Naalad and Tinaan.

Dozens more are feared trapped under mud, they added.

Authorities said among the casualties there were a four-year-old girl and a 63-year-old woman.

Cruz said it rained all night in the city, causing the soil to loosen.

Authorities have evacuated some 100 people living in the cluster of houses in the vicinity.