A popular tourist destination turned into a scene of tragedy Thursday when part of a towering rock formation suddenly broke apart, sending massive chunks of stone crashing down and killing three people in Turkey’s breathtaking Cappadocia region.
The deadly collapse struck around 3:15 p.m. on October 29 near the entrance to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage attraction famous for its unusual rock formations and ancient cave churches. The disaster unfolded on Turkey’s Republic Day holiday, when the region typically draws large numbers of visitors.
According to Nevşehir Governor Hüseyin Kök, heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that caused rocks to break away from one of the area’s iconic “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped formations created by volcanic activity and centuries of erosion. The falling debris struck an area near the museum’s entrance and parking lot, trapping several people beneath the rubble.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, initially recovering two bodies before discovering a third victim during the search. Five others were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. Officials said two of those killed were Turkish citizens, while the third was a foreign national.
Authorities later confirmed that search-and-rescue operations had concluded. Four of the injured were released from the hospital, while a fifth remained under treatment for a hip fracture.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced a formal investigation into the collapse, with prosecutors and technical experts assigned to examine what happened. Although officials believe the recent heavy rainfall played a major role, investigators are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most recognizable tourist destinations, attracting travelers from across the globe with its spectacular stone pillars, underground cities and ancient churches carved directly into volcanic rock.
The tragedy has also renewed attention on the vulnerability of the region’s natural landmarks. Another fairy chimney reportedly collapsed in 2024 after snowfall weakened the formation, although no injuries were reported in that incident.
Thursday’s disaster serves as a stark reminder that even the world’s most beautiful natural wonders can pose unexpected dangers. AA News+3
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