13 schoolgirls killed in Turkish dormitory collapse

At least 13 schoolgirls were killed in their sleep and 22 injured when a dormitory collapsed early Friday in central Turkey, local media reported.

The accident occurred at around 4.15 a.m., when some 40 girls were asleep in the three-storey building in the city of Taskent in Konya Province, the NTV news channel reported.

Up to 10 students are believed to be still under the rubble. Earlier reports said up to 20 people were trapped in the building.

Two of those injured were in a critical state, local health officials said.

The dormitory belongs to a religious foundation. The students were attending a course on the Koran during the school's summer break.

Preliminary reports said the collapse was caused by a gas explosion.

Emergency teams have been sent from Ankara to assist in the rescue operation.