Fairy chimney collapses in Göreme: 3 dead, 5 injured

A fairy chimney collapsed at the entrance to the Open Air Museum in the town of Göreme, Nevşehir, on Wednesday, October 29, at 15:15 due to heavy rainfall; three people died under the fallen massive rock debris, and five others were injured.

The deceased were identified as Fatih Eray Tuna (31), his wife Begüm Çetinkaya Tuna (31), and French national Cynthia Francine Marie Madeleine Houpert (37). Fatih Eray Tuna, owner of Geyve Media, and his accountant wife had married on July 5. Among the injured were French nationals Nael Mgattaf (8), his father Mhemed Mgattaf (38), his brother Isaac Ismael Mgattaf (3), Önder Demir (32), and Gül Demir (29). All injured except Nael Mgattaf were discharged from hospital.

At the time of the collapse, a large number of visitors were in the area due to the October 29 holiday; a wide area near the parking lot was covered in dust. AFAD, UMKE, gendarmerie, police, and medical teams were dispatched to the scene.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced on social media that search and rescue operations had concluded. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that an investigation had been launched into the incident and that one Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor and two Public Prosecutors had been assigned.