A New Zealand journalist has died after falling to her death from a building in the Turkish capital of Istanbul.

Yasmine Ryan, 34, worked as a freelance reporter in the Middle East and was found at the bottom of a five-story building in the early hours of the morning, Turkish media has reported.

TRT World, where Yasmine also worked as features editor, reports the woman was staying at a friend's house when her companion was awakened at 2.20am by a noise, before walking into the room and finding the window wide open.

Yasmine Ryan, 34, worked as a freelance reporter in the Middle East (pictured) and was found at the bottom of a five-story building in the early hours of the morning, Turkish media has reported

TRT World, where Yasmine (pictured) also worked as features editor, reports the woman was staying at a friend's house when her companion was awakened at 2.20am by a noise, before walking into the room and finding the window wide open

Yasmine's friend did not witness the fall but saw the 34-year-old at the bottom of the building.

The seasoned journalist was pronounced dead at the scene and Turkish police are now investigating the incident and are in contact with the New Zealand ministry and Yasmine's family.

She had previously worked for the New York Times and Al Jazeera before travelling to the Middle East to cover hot bed news stretching from Libya to Yemen.

The talented Kiwi has been mourned by a bevy of her industry colleagues who praised Yasmine for her impassioned approach to journalism.

Fellow New Zealand national and Al Jazeera news anchor Kamahl Santamaria described her death as a 'tragic loss'.

'Oh Yasmine, what a tragic loss. One of the best New Zealand journalists that New Zealanders had probably never heard of. You’ve left a legacy, and we, your family, and colleagues all over the world - won’t forget it,' Kamahl said.

The talented Kiwi has been mourned by a bevy of her industry colleagues who praised Yasmine for her impassioned approach to journalism

'Oh Yasmine, what a tragic loss. One of the best New Zealand journalists that New Zealanders had probably never heard of. You’ve left a legacy, and we, your family, and colleagues all over the world - won’t forget it,' Kamahl said

Her friend and TRT World writer Ashfaaq Carim penned an emotional piece on the website in memory of his colleague.

'Yasmine was tireless in her ambition to pitch stories and then tell them with utmost dedication,' he wrote.

'Yasmine was a warm, cheerful and highly intelligent human being. She had her own unique style and was keen to explore, travel and make the most of her personal life.

She is a loss to journalism, but an even greater loss as a friend. She is survived by her stories, journalists she has influenced and the change her work has perhaps brought about.'

'Yasmine was a warm, cheerful and highly intelligent human being. She had her own unique style and was keen to explore, travel and make the most of her personal life'

Fellow journalist Farah Souames also paid tribute, writing that she is 'utterly devastated and heartbroken' at the news.

Yasmine studied journalism in Auckland and most recently worked as senior features editor for TRT World in Istanbul.