"We only have information that over 20 people died... The incident has been investigated," said Vahdettin Ozkan, the governor of Sirnak province which borders Iraq, adding that he had no further information.

"A crisis centre is being formed at the scene and prosecutors and security officers were sent there. The incident is being investigated," Ozkan said.

A local official of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) said earlier Thursday that 23 villagers were killed in Turkish air strikes.

Ertan Eris, a Sirnak provincial councillor, said the victims were smugglers.