Landslide Engulfs Car on Turkish Highway, Driver Survives with Minor Injuries
AYDINCİK, Turkey (AP) – A dramatic landslide on the Mersin-Antalya highway in southern Turkey swallowed a car on Saturday, March 21, but the driver miraculously escaped with minor injuries, authorities said. Dashcam footage of the incident quickly circulated online, showcasing the terrifying moment the vehicle was engulfed by a cascade of soil and rocks.
The incident occurred in the Aydincik district, and was triggered by heavy rainfall in the region. The 44-year-old driver, identified only as Okan, lost control of his vehicle as the landslide struck, burying it entirely under a mass of earth. Emergency services responded swiftly, excavating the car to rescue him. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and his condition is not considered life-threatening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgcJ-4_7IZY
The highway was closed in both directions to allow for the removal of debris, and Turkish authorities have cautioned drivers to be vigilant for further landslides and to avoid the area if possible.
This event is part of a larger pattern of severe weather events impacting Europe. Similar landslides and flooding have recently devastated parts of Italy, particularly the Calabria region, prompting evacuations and intensive rescue operations. Earlier this week, 80 people were evacuated in the city of Cosenza after landslides dramatically altered the landscape.
The increasing frequency of such events underscores the growing vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather, a concern highlighted by climate scientists globally. While no direct link to climate change has been established for this specific incident, experts note that increased rainfall intensity can exacerbate landslide risks.
