Cappadocia rock collapse investigation highlights structural risks

Following a fatal rock collapse near the Göreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia, Turkey, which killed three people and injured five, investigations are focusing on whether human intervention contributed to the disaster. While official statements attributed the collapse to landslides caused by heavy rainfall on October 29, experts and witnesses are questioning this conclusion.

Military and geological experts, including mining technology specialist Serkan İçelli, had previously warned of potential collapses in the region. Witnesses reported seeing visible cracks in the structures weeks before the incident, noting that safety measures, such as a single white rope, were insufficient to prevent access to dangerous areas.

Architect Aslı Özbay and local guides suggest that heavy human activity may have been the primary trigger. Specifically, they point to the 2022 construction of the Ortahisar–Göreme road, which involved massive excavation and heavy machinery, as well as the recent expansion of the nearby parking area using heavy vehicles. These activities may have created vibrations that destabilized the fragile tuff formations.