Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation after 13 newborn babies died within 24 hours in a state hospital in the western city of Izmir.

It was the second case in two months that has raised concern over standards of care for newborn babies in Turkey.

Turkish prosecutors launched Monday an investigation after the babies, all prematurely born and underdeveloped, died at the Tepecik hospital on Saturday and Sunday due to a possible infection. The local health directorate rejected claims of neglect.

A scientific committee investigating the incident would announce its findings within a few days, the head of the local health directorate, Mehmet Ozkan, told a press conference.

"We believe there was no neglect surrounding the deaths," he said. Ozkan added he could not currently say whether the 13 newborn babies died due to infection or not.

A local prosecutor was also investigating whether neglect may have been a factor.

The local prosecutor’s office on Monday ordered that five of the babies, who had already been interred before officials became suspicious, be exhumed for an autopsy, the agency said.

The bodies of the remaining babies were already at the local coroner’s office, it added.

"These unfortunate deaths are very saddening," Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said. "There may have been neglect, this will become clear after the investigation," he added.

"Premature births constitute a high risk, and this may have played a part, too," Erdogan said.

Tepecik hospital was caring for 41 newborns overnight Saturday. After the 13 deaths, the unit was placed under quarantine and no new babies have been admitted.

In July, more than two-dozen newborns died at a hospital for high-risk births in the capital, Ankara. Government-appointed doctors investigating the deaths said a shortage of personnel was to blame.

In August, investigators looking into the deaths of 27 newborns at the hospital concluded that a staff shortage had increased the risk of infection.