ROCK COLLAPSE KILLS TWO AT CAPPADOCIA TOURIST SITE

At least two people died and five were injured when a volcanic rock spire collapsed at a tourist site in Göreme, central Turkey, on Thursday, according to Turkish officials. Authorities sent medical and rescue teams to the site in Cappadocia. Nevşehir provincial governor Hüseyin Kök said rescuers had recovered the two bodies from beneath the fallen rock. Turkish media placed the collapse near the entrance to Göreme’s open-air museum at about 15:15 local time (12:15 GMT). Kök said the rock fell near a car park at the site entrance.

Kök cited recent heavy rain as a likely cause; authorities had not confirmed what brought down the spire. It was one of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, tall, cone-shaped rock formations created by volcanic activity. Television footage showed heavy machinery removing chunks of rock from the base of the formation. The collapse took place on Turkey’s Republic Day holiday. Officials had not immediately identified the nationalities of those who died.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said authorities had opened an investigation into the collapse. He said search and rescue work continued because “other potential victims” could remain beneath the debris. Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region known for ancient underground cities and its rock formations. It is among Turkey’s most visited tourism destinations and draws visitors from around the world.