WASHINGTON, Sept 15 — Eight people were killed and five were listed as missing after flash floods struck a town in the western state of Utah overnight yesterday, state officials said early today.

A wall of water hit people in their cars in Hildale, washing them downstream, the town's assistant fire chief, Kevin Barlow said, according to ABC News.

“An additional victim has been located below the Central Street crossing bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to eight. There are still five unaccounted for,” the Utah Division of Emergency Management reported on Facebook.

Crews searched for missing people in the flood waters but scaled back the operation at nightfall as conditions were still dangerous.

The rush of water left streets clogged with mud, rocks and debris, ABC said. — AFP