At least 16 students were killed and more than 20 injured after a girls' school dormitory collapsed in central Turkey early on August 1 2008, Turkish media reported.

The three-storey building, located in the village of Balcilar, near the town of Taskent, in the Konya province, hosted students taking part in a Koran course.

The collapse took place at about 5am local time. It is believed to have been caused by the explosion of a large gas canister. Rescuers say at least ten more girls are still under the ruins.

“We are hearing voices. I believe those inside the rubble will be saved,” the village's mayor, Mehmet Demirgul, told NTV television, as quoted by daily Hurriyet. 

According to state Anatolian news agency, the dormitory belonged to a religious foundation.