Two people were killed in the collapse of a rock site known as the “Fairy Chimneys” in the Cappadocia region of central Türkiye, according to local authorities.
The governor of the Turkish state of Nevsehir, Hussein Kok, announced on Thursday that a landslide caused by heavy rain led to the collapse of a rock column in the tourist area, adding: “We recovered the bodies of two people who died.” An injured person was also transferred to the hospital to receive treatment.”
He explained that the accident occurred when a landslide caused rocks to fall in the city of Goreme, near the open museum. As a result of the accident, the area was closed to the public, according to media reports.
For their part, witnesses reported hearing a loud sound as the rock formation collapsed. Cook said, “Search and rescue operations are continuing.” The state continues its efforts there using all available resources.”
Cappadocia is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Türkiye, and is famous for its unique rock formations known as “fairy chimneys.”
The head of the Israeli Central Elections Commission rejected reports of electoral fraud against the backdrop of the strong appearance of Arab parties in the elections held the day before yesterday (Tuesday), saying that there is no evidence that “Arab votes” stole the parliamentary elections, according to the German News Agency.
Dean Livneh, acting head of the committee, told the Kan radio network that there is no evidence that the Arab parties obtained the votes illegally.
A senior police official also described the allegations as propaganda tactics that have no real basis. He told Haaretz that there were fewer complaints about irregularities compared to previous elections.
Police Commissioner Daniel Levy stated that every complaint related to the elections will be investigated in a comprehensive and impartial manner. He added that if any criminal act is suspected, the police will firmly uncover the truth and hold those involved accountable.
For his part, the head of the United Arab List, Mansour Abbas, confirmed, according to what was reported by Israeli media, that “the list has nothing to do” with the accusations of forgery.
It is noteworthy that the Arab parties almost doubled their seats compared to the elections held in 2022, where they won 19 seats out of 120 seats in the Knesset.
The head of the Israeli Central Elections Commission, Judge Noam Solberg, asked the head of the General Security Service (Shin Bet), David Zinni, to open an investigation into suspicions of foreign interference in the elections that took place on Tuesday, related to the financing of parties suspected of seeking to influence voters, according to what the Times of Israel newspaper reported.
Solberg said, in a letter to Zinni, that he had been informed of “serious suspicions of improper influence on the elections, through funding provided by foreign parties working against Israeli interests.”
He added: “Although I cannot confirm the validity of these suspicions, I believe that the presence of foreign parties behind them requires in-depth investigation.”
Solberg asked the head of the Shin Bet to use all the powers available to the agency to verify suspicions and collect evidence that might prove or deny them.
He said in his message: “Only in this way can we guarantee public confidence in the electoral process and the integrity of the democratic path.”
The Chairman of the Election Commission requested that the results of the investigation be presented to him within a week.
According to Hebrew media, the investigation is based on intelligence information that reached the Shin Bet and was presented to Solberg. Israeli Channel 12 reported that the Likud Party believes that the money was sent to groups working to mobilize the votes of Arab citizens.
Zinni said on Tuesday that Election Day was going “well so far,” adding that voter turnout was high.
He said: “We can confidently assure Israeli citizens that the elections are being monitored and conducted in a sound and impressive manner.”
In a related context, Hebrew media reported, before the start of voting, that the Likud Party intends to challenge the election results in Arab-majority areas, and use the excuse that the elections were “stolen” if Netanyahu did not win.
According to reports reported by The Times of Israel, the party had prepared in advance a number of complaints and allegations related to fraud.
Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli police rejected Likud’s claims that the Arab parties “stole” the elections, stressing that “there is no evidence to support these allegations.”
