Rock collapse kills two in Turkey’s Cappadocia, local media reports
A rock formation collapsed at an open-air museum in Göreme, in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, killing at least two people and injuring five, according to local media and officials. The incident occurred at a popular tourist site; rescuers were still searching the rubble for possible further victims.
The collapse involved a “fairy chimney”, a tall, cone-shaped formation created by volcanic activity. It happened near the museum entrance at about 15:15 local time on Thursday. The cause was not immediately known, though local media said heavy rain may have triggered it.
In short
- A rock spire collapsed at a tourist site in Göreme.
- At least two people died and five were injured.
- Search and rescue efforts continued amid reports of possible further victims.
Explained simply
Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey known for its unusual volcanic landscape and historic cave dwellings. Over time, wind and water have shaped the soft volcanic rock into tall, cone-shaped formations known as “fairy chimneys”.
Göreme is one of the region’s main tourist areas, and its open-air museum includes historic churches and other sites carved into the rock. The formations and heritage sites draw visitors from Turkey and abroad, while their natural structure can make rock stability a concern.