ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

The official death toll from a horrific building collapse in Istanbul has risen to 18 on the same day mourners gathered for the funeral of a family of nine killed in the tragedy.

Turkey’s interior minister made this announcement on Saturday, following the fatal incident at an eight-storey building on Wednesday.

Funeral prayers were earlier performed for nine members of a family who died in the building collapse in Istanbul.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, officials and hundreds of people gathered for the ceremony.

The Alemdar family lived in the building that collapsed and their nine coffins were covered in green cloths.

Five other family members are among the 14 hospitalised.

The cause of Wednesday's tragedy is under investigation.

Murat Kurum, the minister for environment and urban planning, said the building had permits for only six floors and had illegally built the top two floors with low quality concrete and sea sand.

These materials were used instead of construction-grade concrete and stronger steel.

Speaking outside a hospital before the funeral, Erdogan said illegal construction "to make more money" caused "a very serious problem."

Turkey's president said there are "many lessons to learn” from the incident and said the government would take "steps in a determined way" after investigators complete their work.

Friends and relatives have gathered near the wreckage for news of their missing loved ones as emergency teams, aided by sniffer dogs, worked around the clock to reach possible survivors.

Officials have not disclosed how many people are still unaccounted for.

The building had 14 apartments with 43 registered residents.