Two women from Northern Ireland have been stabbed to death in Turkey.

It is understood they were killed on Thursday night in the city of Izmir, about 75 miles from the resort of Kusadasi.

Their names have not been released but the women, in their 50s, are thought to be from County Down.

A 17-year-old Turkish boy has been arrested. The women were travelling on Irish passports and diplomats from Dublin are liaising with their relatives.

It is understood that Turkish police are investigating claims the stabbing happened after a row between the suspect and the mother of a girl dating him.

One of the women had worked as a lecturer in a further education college in Co Down.

Other members of their families on holiday in Kusadasi have travelled to Izmir along with a Turkish friend and local hotelier.

Officials from the Irish Embassy in Ankara arrived in Izmir to meet the families, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said.

The SDLP assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Dominic Bradley, said the whole area around Newry and Mourne was "totally stunned by the news from Turkey".

He said: "Their families are very much in the thoughts and prayers of people in this part of the world. I know that the people here will rally round the families and give them all the support they are going to need."

It is understood one of the women owned a property in the Kusadasi area. The Turkish Aegean is one of the most popular sun holiday destinations for tourists from Northern Ireland.