Turkish emergency services have rescued a 5-year-old girl from the debris of an eight-storey apartment building in Istanbul about 18 hours after it collapsed.

At least three people have been found dead, officials said on Thursday.

The girl, Havva Tekgoz, was carried to a waiting ambulance on a stretcher as one person in a crowd of onlookers chanted 'God is great!'

Overnight, a 9-year-old boy was also rescued from the debris.

So far, 13 people — including Tekgoz — have been rescued. Istanbul governor Ali Yerlikaya didn't say how many people remain unaccounted for. A top Turkish official says emergency teams are still 'receiving sounds' suggesting signs of life from the under the rubble and are working to reach possible more survivors from the collapsed building.

The building, located in the mostly residential Kartal district, on the Asian side of the city had 14 apartments with 43 people registered residents.

Rescue workers try to remove rubble from the building on Thursday. AP

Yerlikaya said three of the injured were in serious condition.

'All our prayers, all our hearts are with them,' Yerlikaya said. 'We are continuing with our search and rescue efforts so that we can deliver good news (about survivors).'

The cause of the collapse was under investigation but officials said the top three floors had been illegally built.

Authorities evacuated seven surrounding buildings and one was under serious risk of collapse. The rescue operation was interrupted three times over fears that it might fall and harm rescuers, Yerlikaya said.