Rock Formation Collapse in Cappadocia Kills Two, Injures Five

At least two people have been killed and five have been injured following the collapse of a rock formation at a tourist site in Cappadocia, Turkey. Local media reported that one of the distinctive rock spires, known as a fairy chimney, disintegrated at the popular open-air museum located in the central town of Göreme. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed in a social media post that initial assessments indicated two individuals had lost their lives in the incident, with five others sustaining injuries. Nevşehir provincial Governor Hüseyin Kök stated that the bodies of the victims had been recovered from beneath the rubble. However, the Justice Minister cautioned that there could be additional potential victims still trapped at the site. Search and rescue operations continued at the location, which is situated near the entrance to the museum, a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site. While the precise cause of the Thursday incident was not immediately known, local media reported that the collapse may have been triggered by heavy rainfall. The Cappadocia region is a major global tourist destination, drawing visitors interested in the ancient, cone-shaped rock formations created by volcanic activity.