Part of a rock spire known as a fairy chimney collapsed yesterday near the entrance to one of Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations, killing three people and injuring five others.
The incident occurred around 3:15 pm local time in the town of Goreme, in central Turkey’s Cappadocia region yesterday. Rocks broke away and fell onto people near the parking area. The site is part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, famous for its cave dwellings and cone-shaped rock formations. Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok said that heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that caused the rocks to detach from the formation, according to Reuters.
Rescue teams initially recovered two bodies from the rubble before discovering a third victim overnight, bringing the death toll to three. The deceased include two Turkish citizens and one foreign national. Five others were injured in the collapse. Some of them were later discharged from hospital, according to AFP.
Sudden collapse
Eyewitnesses described a loud noise followed by a large dust cloud. The area was closed to the public, and search operations concluded overnight under floodlights.
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said an investigation by the chief prosecutor’s office, along with expert assessments, would begin. The collapse occurred on Turkey’s Republic Day, a public holiday when visitor numbers were high.
Cappadocia, in central Anatolia, is renowned for its distinctive fairy chimneys. These tall, thin spires of soft volcanic rock topped by harder caps were shaped over millions of years by wind and water erosion. The Goreme Open-Air Museum and surrounding sites were put on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 for their blend of natural landforms and human history, including Byzantine rock-cut churches and underground settlements. The region’s soft rock is geologically fragile and prone to weathering and occasional rockfalls, particularly after heavy rain.
Turkish authorities have previously carried out restoration and monitoring work to address erosion and climate-related risks, and smaller non-fatal collapses were recorded in the area in 2024 and 2025. The site remains one of Turkey’s most visited destinations, drawing tourists for hot-air balloon rides, hiking, and exploration of its unique geology and heritage.
