Fairy Chimney Collapse Kills at Least 2 at Popular Cappadocia Tourist Site
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A large volcanic rock formation collapsed Thursday in Turkey's Cappadocia region, killing at least two people and injuring five others, officials said. ABC News and the BBC reported that rescue teams were still searching the rubble for anyone else who might be trapped.
The collapse happened in the Goreme area, one of the country's most visited tourist destinations, on Turkey's Republic Day holiday, when the area would have been crowded with visitors, according to ABC News.
What happened in Goreme
Part of a rock spire known as a fairy chimney came down at the popular open-air museum in the central town of Goreme, the BBC reported, citing local media. Turkish media said the collapse occurred near the entrance to the museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, at about 15:15 local time. ABC News, quoting officials, said it was near a parking lot at an entrance to the site.
Authorities sent medical and rescue teams to the scene. The HaberTurk news channel showed heavy machinery removing chunks of rock from the foot of the formation.
Who has been hurt
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said in a social media post that, according to initial assessments, two people died and five others were injured. He said a search and rescue operation was continuing, and ABC News reported that an investigation into the incident had been launched.
The provincial governor, Huseyin Kok, said the bodies of the victims had been recovered from under the rubble, according to the BBC. The BBC reported that Gurlek warned there could be “other potential victims” still trapped. Kok said rescue teams were continuing to search for others who may be under the debris, ABC News reported.
There was no immediate information on the nationalities of the dead.
What caused the collapse
The cause was not immediately confirmed. Kok said recent heavy rains likely caused the collapse, according to ABC News. The BBC, citing local media, also reported that heavy rain could have set it off.
About the fairy chimneys
Fairy chimneys are tall, cone-shaped rock formations created by volcanic activity, the BBC explained. They are one of the main reasons visitors from around the world travel to Cappadocia, which ABC News described as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area famed for its distinctive rock formations and ancient underground cities.
What this means for visitors and the region
For travelers, the accident is a reminder that even well-known natural landmarks can be unstable, particularly after heavy rain. The collapse took place near the entrance of a heavily visited site on a national holiday, when crowds are typical.
The nationalities of the dead were not disclosed, and the investigation announced by the justice minister is still at an early stage. Rescue crews were continuing to search the debris at the foot of the formation.
