Rock Formation Collapse Kills Two in Turkey's Cappadocia

A rock formation collapsed near the Göreme Open-Air Museum in Cappadocia, central Turkey, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, killing at least two people and injuring several others. Authorities attributed the incident to a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall and deployed emergency services to search for additional victims trapped beneath the debris.

The collapse involved a distinctive volcanic rock structure known as a fairy chimney in the town of Göreme, a major tourist destination within Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia region. According to Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok, the incident occurred at 3:15 p.m. local time, near a parking area and the entrance to the tourist site.

Reports differed on the number of injured people. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said two people had died and five others were injured, while reporting by Türkiye Today cited the governor as confirming two deaths and one injured person taken to a hospital.

Authorities closed the affected area as rescue operations continued. Television footage showed heavy machinery removing large pieces of rock while emergency personnel searched the rubble for people who might remain trapped.

Police, gendarmerie units, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), medical personnel and rescue teams responded to the scene. Officials also established a crisis coordination center in the area.

Governor Huseyin Kok described the circumstances surrounding the collapse during remarks at the scene.

"As of 3:15 p.m. today, there was a landslide caused by excessive rainfall," Kok told reporters.

The governor said the falling rocks had struck an area where people were present, leaving victims trapped beneath the debris. He confirmed that rescue personnel had recovered two bodies and transported an injured person to a hospital.

In a separate statement about the continuing emergency response, Kok said:

"Our search and rescue efforts continue at the scene. Our state continues its work at the scene with all its means," the governor added.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek also confirmed the initial death toll and said authorities were continuing their search for possible additional victims.

"According to initial findings, two people were killed and five others injured in the incident," Gurlek said on X.

The justice minister emphasized that the search operation remained active as emergency teams worked through the collapsed material.

"Search and rescue teams are continuing intensive, coordinated operations to locate any other victims who may be trapped under the debris," he said.

Gurlek also announced that an investigation had been launched into the incident, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

The collapse occurred during Turkey's Republic Day holiday, when the popular destination could attract substantial numbers of visitors. Authorities had not immediately released the nationalities of those killed.

Cappadocia is known for its unusual volcanic landscapes, ancient underground cities, rock-carved churches and hot-air balloon tours. The region's fragile formations face risks from natural erosion, weather-related damage and human activity, prompting Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry to undertake restoration work to help preserve the landscape.

Another rockfall was reported in Cappadocia in 2024, although no deaths or injuries were recorded in that incident. Hot-air balloon flights in the region operate only when weather conditions receive approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's Nevsehir office, and adverse weather grounded tours on Thursday.