3 dead in rock spire collapse at tourist site in Turkiye's Cappadocia

A rock spire collapse triggered by heavy rainfall in the UNESCO-listed Cappadocia region of Turkey claimed three lives and injured five others on Thursday, according to officials. The incident occurred at a popular tourist destination known for its cone-shaped fairy chimneys, formed by ancient volcanic activity. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek reported that two individuals were killed and five injured in the accident, while Nevşehir Governor Hüseyin Kök confirmed the discovery of a third body from the rubble, raising the death toll to three.

Rescue teams continued their intensive search efforts to locate any additional victims trapped under the debris, utilizing heavy machinery and working through the night. The collapse happened at 3:15pm local time near the car park of a town called Goreme, a popular open-air museum. The area was subsequently closed to the public following the incident.

The Turkish culture and tourism ministry has initiated restoration projects in the region to safeguard the delicate rock formations from climate-related damage and human impact. Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, is renowned for its dramatic landscape that blends human settlement with unique natural formations.

The region's popularity among tourists surged to 4.5 million domestic and foreign visitors in 2025, a number that has raised safety concerns due to repeated accidents in recent years.