Lucrezia Ciotti Tragedy has struck Cappadocia , Turkey, where the collapse of a famous " fairy chimney " at the entrance to the Göreme Open-Air Museum has caused deaths and injuries. Searches are ongoing to rule out the possibility of other people being buried beneath the rubble, while authorities have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the accident.
Göreme: What are fairy chimneys and why do they attract millions of tourists?
The collapse affected one of Cappadocia's most iconic natural structures, famous for its landscapes shaped by volcanic activity and erosion. The so-called "fairy chimneys" are conical or pyramid-shaped pinnacles , composed primarily of tuff and other relatively friable volcanic materials. Their shape is the result of a long process of land transformation , during which wind and water have carved and reshaped the ash and lapilli deposits.
The name is linked to legendary tales that attribute the presence of the rocks at the top of the spires to supernatural beings.
Over the centuries, these natural cavities have also been used as refuges and places of worship : the Göreme area preserves monasteries, rock churches, and frescoes from the Byzantine era. Its historical and landscape value contributed to its inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Cappadocia: A fairy chimney collapses in Göreme, killing three and injuring five.
A serious accident has struck Cappadocia, Turkey, where one of the characteristic volcanic rock spires collapsed near the entrance to the Göreme Open-Air Museum. The latest toll stands at three dead and five injured . Rescue operations are continuing to check for other people trapped under the debris, while ambulances, police, and gendarmerie have responded to the scene. According to Turkish state television TRT , one of the victims has been located under the rubble.
The accident occurred around 3:00 PM local time, when the area was frequented by visitors. Nevşehir Province Governor Hüseyin Kök pointed to heavy rainfall in central Turkey as a possible cause of the collapse . The exact cause remains unclear, however, and an investigation has been opened . In the meantime, authorities have ordered people to leave the area to avoid further risks.