Fairy Chimney Rockfall Kills at Least Three at Cappadocia Tourist Site in Turkey

Parts of a volcanic rock formation known as a fairy chimney collapsed in Cappadocia's Goreme region in central Turkey on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, killing at least three people and injuring five others, officials said. The collapse scattered rock fragments over an area near the Goreme open-air museum, one of the most visited parts of the region.

Collapse after heavy rain

Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok told reporters that a landslide occurred due to heavy rainfall at 3:15 p.m. local time (1215 GMT) and that rock fragments fell onto people near the site. The collapse happened near a parking lot at an entrance to the open-air museum, and Kok said recent heavy rains likely caused it. Rescue teams at first found two people dead and reached one injured person, and the confirmed toll later rose to at least three dead and five injured as the search went on.

Kok said two of the three dead were Turkish nationals. He did not provide information on the third victim. Rescue teams continued to search the debris for people who may be trapped.

"We hope that there are no other casualties. We are deeply saddened," Kok said.

Investigation opened

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said an investigation was launched into the incident. Officials had not released the names of the dead or said how many people were at the site when the rock fell.

A World Heritage site

Cappadocia, in central Turkey, is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site famed for its distinctive rock formations and ancient underground cities, and it is one of Turkey's most visited tourism locations. The Goreme open-air museum draws visitors to churches and dwellings carved into the soft volcanic rock. The collapse occurred on Turkey's Republic Day holiday, a day when visitor numbers at major sites are usually high.

The search continues

The toll moved during the afternoon as rescuers worked through the debris. The first teams on the scene found two people dead and reached one injured person, and officials later confirmed at least three dead and five injured. The condition of the injured was not described in the first reports. Because the fragments fell near a parking lot at an entrance to the museum on a national holiday, rescuers kept searching the debris for anyone who might still be trapped, and Kok said he hoped there would be no further casualties.