Up to 100 schoolgirls aged 10 to 18 have been hospitalised in northern Afghanistan after having suffered health complications from a suspected poisoning of their drinking water.

Local officials say eight teachers at the Ahmad Shah Massoud school in Mazar-e-Sharif also fell ill soon after drinking water at the school in the Balkh provincial capital.

Hospital officials confirm the treatment of the girls and their instructors.

Balkh police have told local media outlet, Tolo TV, that the water will be sent for laboratory analysis.