Three dead as part of a fairy chimney collapses in Göreme, in Turkey's Cappadocia

Part of a fairy chimney, one of the rock spires that made Cappadocia famous, collapsed on 29 October near the entrance to a popular site in Göreme, in central Turkey. Rocks fell on people beside the car park at around 3:15 pm local time. It was Republic Day.

Three dead and five injured

Three people died: two Turkish citizens and one foreign national. Rescuers first recovered two bodies and, overnight under floodlights, found the third. Five people were injured, some of them since discharged from hospital. Witnesses describe a loud noise followed by a large cloud of dust.

The area has been closed to the public. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the chief prosecutor’s office will open an investigation with expert assessments.

Why it fell

Nevsehir Governor Huseyin Kok said heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that detached the rocks from the formation.

These spires are soft volcanic rock capped by harder rock, shaped by wind and water over millions of years. The soft rock is fragile and prone to rockfalls, especially after intense rain. Smaller collapses without deaths were recorded in 2024 and 2025, and authorities had carried out restoration and monitoring work.

A very popular place

The Göreme Open-Air Museum and its surroundings have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, with rock-cut Byzantine churches and underground settlements. It’s one of Turkey’s most visited destinations, known for hot-air balloons and hiking.

After heavy rain, avoid stopping at the foot of soft rock walls and formations, however busy the spot may look.

If you’re walking on unfamiliar terrain, read how to plan your first mountain route.