UPDATE 4 - Dorm fire kills 12 in southern Turkey

ADDS FAMILY MINISTER REMARKS

By Omer Yildiz

Turkey (AA) – At least 12 bodies have been recovered after fire broke out in a private girls' dormitory late Tuesday in the southern province of Adana, a local governor said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telephoned Gov. Mahmut Demirtas early Wednesday and received an update on the situation, according to presidential sources.

Erdogan said he was deeply sorry for the fire and wished God’s mercy on those who lost their lives while hoping for a quick recovery for the wounded.

"We have lost 12 of our citizens, 11 of them students, one of them educator. Twelve citizens are wounded,” Demirtas told reporters.

The governor previously announced 28 students were staying at the secondary school dormitory when the fire erupted.

He also said some of the injured students were affected by smoke and others were wounded while trying to escape the burning building.

"We have reached all people inside. According to initial reports, we guess that the fire broke out due to the electrical contact," he said.

Demirtas said the wounded have been taken to hospitals in the region. "There is no one seriously wounded … Some of the wounded people have jumped from windows."

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was also briefed by Demirtas and related ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya arrived on site early Wednesday. Kaya promised accountability for any oversight.

Addressing the claim that the fire escape in the building was locked, Kaya said: "This is an allegation. It will be thoroughly investigated."