Eight people died Wednesday morning when a boat sank in Helmand river, local officials said.

Omar Zowak, the spokesman for Helmand's governor, said the incident happened in the Azan area of Kajaki district, where the Kajaki dam is located.

“Three children, two women and three men are the victims,” Zowak added.

Local officials said that electricity and water services were shut off while rescuers search for the bodies of victims.