Artvin landslide kills truck driver attempting to rescue colleagues

A massive landslide occurred at the Esenkıyı truck park in the Hopa district of Artvin, Turkey, causing significant damage to parked heavy vehicles. Large rock masses broke off from a slope and fell onto the vehicles during the morning hours.

During the incident, 45-year-old truck driver Kasım Topaloğlu demonstrated heroism. After successfully moving his own vehicle to a safe area following the initial tremors, he returned to the disaster zone to assist his colleagues who were stranded. However, a second landslide occurred, and Topaloğlu was struck by falling rocks, resulting in his death at the scene.

Emergency response teams, including AFAD, Hopa Search and Rescue (HOPAK), fire departments, and gendarmerie, were deployed to the area. While rescue operations and debris removal using heavy machinery are underway, authorities remain on high alert due to the ongoing risk of further landslides in the region.