WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. safety regulators say people whose cars have been recalled to fix air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. should get the repairs done as soon as possible or face a serious risk of death or injury.

At a public hearing today on the massive recalls, officials of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said eight people have died and 98 others have been hurt because of inflators that can explode with too much force. Those injured have suffered cuts to the neck, loss of eyesight and hearing and broken teeth.

The agency says it knows of 89 driver’s side and 32 passenger inflator ruptures. Nearly one in 10 ruptures of driver side air bags causes a death.

About 23.4 million Takata driver and passenger air bag inflators have been recalled on 19.2 million U.S. vehicles sold by 12 auto and truck makers.

The agency is moving toward taking over management of the massive recalls to speed up repairs.