ISTANBUL 

At least eight people died and seven others were reported missing after flash floods swept through Pakistan’s Swat River on Friday, officials said.

The victims, part of a group of 18 family members, were taking selfies on a dry portion of the riverbed when a sudden torrent swept them away, Shahzad Mehbub, deputy commissioner of Swat district, told reporters.

Seven bodies have been recovered so far, while search and rescue teams continue operations to locate the missing, Mehbub said.

The missing include four minor girls and their mother, he added.

Three people were rescued by divers, while dozens of other stranded tourists were also pulled to safety from different locations along the river.

Footage broadcast by local channel Geo News showed the tourists stranded on a stony mound in the middle of the river, waving desperately for help as water levels surged around them.

“Rescue operations are ongoing at five locations, with 80 personnel from Rescue 1122 involved in the search,” Shah Fahad, director general of Rescue 1122 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said.

The latest incident comes as Pakistan faces a deadly start to the monsoon season. At least 10 people were killed in rain-related accidents in Punjab province on Thursday.

Flash floods and heavy rains frequently batter Pakistan during the monsoon season, causing widespread casualties and damage, particularly in northern and northwestern regions.