A rock formation collapse in Turkey’s touristic Cappadocia region kills at least 3

Parts of a large volcanic rock formation crashed down in Turkey’s popular tourism destination of Cappadocia on Thursday, killing at least three people and injuring five others, officials said.

A section of the rock formation — known as a fairy chimney — tumbled in Cappadocia’s Goreme region, prompting authorities to deploy medical and rescue teams.

Gov. Huseyin Kok said recent heavy rains likely caused the collapse, which occurred near a parking lot at an entrance to the site.

He said rescue teams were continuing to search for other people who may be trapped under the debris.

“We hope that there are no other casualties,” the governor said. “We are deeply saddened.”

Kok said two of the three dead were Turkish nationals. He did not provide information on the third victim.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said an investigation was launched into the incident.

HaberTurk news channel showed heavy machinery removing chunks of rock from the foot of the formation.

Cappadocia, in central Turkey, is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site famed for its distinctive rock formations and ancient underground cities. It is one of the country’s most visited tourism locations.

The collapse occurred on Turkey’s Republic Day holiday, when the area would have been crowded with visitors.

官员称，周四，土耳其热门旅游胜地卡帕多西亚一处大型火山岩层的部分坍塌，造成至少三人死亡，五人受伤。

卡帕多西亚格雷梅地区的一处被称为“仙女烟囱”的岩层发生坍塌，促使当局部署医疗和救援队。

州长侯赛因·科克表示，最近的强降雨可能是造成坍塌的原因，坍塌地点位于工地入口附近的停车场旁。

他说，救援队仍在继续搜寻可能被困在废墟下的其他人员。

州长说：“我们希望没有其他人员伤亡。我们深感悲痛。”

科克表示，三名死者中有两名是土耳其公民。他没有提供第三名死者的信息。

司法部长阿金·古尔莱克表示，已对此事件展开调查。

HaberTurk 新闻频道播放了重型机械从地层底部移除大块岩石的画面。

卡帕多奇亚位于土耳其中部，是联合国教科文组织世界遗产，以其独特的岩层和古老的地下城市而闻名。它是土耳其最热门的旅游景点之一。

坍塌事件发生在土耳其共和国日假期，当时该地区应该挤满了游客。