UPDATE - Minibus veers off cliff in western Turkey, 23 killed

UPDATES DEATH TOLL TO 23 FROM 20, ADDS PRESIDENT ERDOGAN'S CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

By Durmus Genc and Sabri Kesen

MUGLA, Turkey (AA) - Twenty-three people were killed and 11 others were wounded when a minibus veered off a cliff in western Mugla province on Saturday, according to a deputy provincial governor.

Mugla Deputy Governor Kamil Koten told Anadolu Agency the death toll in the accident increased to 23 when three bodies trapped under the vehicle were taken out.

Koten maintained the injury toll at 11.

All the people inside the minibus were tourists from within Turkey, Mugla Governor Amir Cicek told Anadolu Agency previously.

The accident took place on Sakargecidi pass on Mugla-Antalya road, Cicek added.

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the area and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a written statement, offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.