Three killed, five injured in rockfall at Turkey's Cappadocia tourist site
At least three people were killed and five others injured in a rockfall at Cappadocia, a popular tourist destination in central Turkey, officials said.
The rockfall took place at around 3:15 pm local time on Thursday, near the Goreme Open-Air Museum.
After heavy rain in the area, rocks broke away from a volcanic geological formation known as a “fairy chimney.” The name comes from the tall, narrow, often cone-shaped rock formations that resemble chimneys, with the “fairy” reference tied to local folklore.
Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok told reporters that rock fragments from the fairy chimney broke off and fell onto people near the Goreme Open-Air Museum.
“We hope that there are no other casualties,” Kok said. He said two of the three people killed were Turkish nationals, but he did not provide information about the third individual.
It remains unclear whether the dead and injured were tourists, employees or others.
Rescue teams were searching through rubble at the scene, according to the governor.
Cappadocia, in central Turkey southeast of the capital Ankara, is known for its distinctive fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, ancient rock-cut churches and scenic hot air balloon rides.
