Two Dead in Cappadocia Rock Collapse
Cappadocia rock collapse killed two people in Turkiye’s famous tourist region on Thursday, after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that brought down a rock spire. One more person was injured and taken to hospital, the local governor said.
The incident occurred at 3:15pm local time, which is 5:15pm in Pakistan, in the town of Goreme, near the open-air museum. Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok said rescue teams had recovered the bodies of two people who lost their lives.
“We have recovered the bodies of two people who lost their lives. One injured person was taken to hospital,” Kok said.
The area was closed to the public following the collapse, according to reports. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise as the rock spire fell.
“Our search and rescue operations at the scene are ongoing. The government is continuing its efforts at the scene with all available resources,” Kok said.
Cappadocia rock collapse: what happened in Goreme
Goreme sits at the heart of Cappadocia, a region known across the world for its rock formations called “fairy chimneys”. These tall, thin spires were created by ancient volcanic activity, and they draw visitors from many countries each year.
Thursday’s collapse followed heavy rainfall in the area. Rain can weaken the soft volcanic rock that forms the chimneys, and local officials linked the landslide directly to the wet weather. The fallen spire came down in a town that is built around these formations, close to one of the region’s main visitor sites.
Officials have not yet released the identities or nationalities of the people who died, or of the injured person. Rescue work was still under way when the governor gave his statement, so the toll could change as teams finish their search of the site.
Why Cappadocia’s landscape carries this risk
Cappadocia’s appeal and its risk come from the same geology. Layers of soft volcanic ash, known as tuff, were laid down by eruptions millions of years ago. Over time, wind and rain carved that rock into valleys, cones and the fairy chimneys that give the region its look.
That soft rock also erodes easily. Heavy rain can loosen material on steep slopes, and rockfalls have struck the region before. For that reason, officials closed the affected area at once after Thursday’s collapse, rather than leaving it open while rescue teams worked.
The collapse is the latest in a run of deadly world news this week. In Spain, the train collision toll rose to 68, while at the United Nations, Cuba won its embargo vote but with support at a 30-year low. In the United States, the judge in the Maduro case died at 92 in New York, and in Britain, Tommy Robinson was convicted of harassing journalists.
The region’s open-air museum at Goreme, a major draw for visitors, sits among the same rock landscape. Thursday’s incident is a reminder that the formations tourists come to see are still changing, shaped by the same weather that carved them.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the collapse happen?
In Goreme, in the Cappadocia region of Turkiye, near the open-air museum. The collapse occurred at 3:15pm local time on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
How many people were killed or injured?
Two people were killed and one person was injured, according to Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok. The injured person was taken to hospital, and search and rescue work was ongoing.
What caused the collapse?
The local governor said a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall caused the rock spire to collapse. Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims.
Source: Dawn
