Эвакуированная деревня Карайн в Каппадокии стала «призраком» после эпидемии мезотелиомы, вызванной минералом эрионит

Decades ago, it was a prosperous jewel in the heart of Cappadocia. Today, it is a deserted ghost town whose tragic fate is recorded in global medical literature. Stripped of its residents and shrouded in silence, the evacuated village now hosts only one type of visitor: film crews shooting horror movies. Located in Nevşehir’s Ürgüp district in central Türkiye, amid Cappadocia’s distinctive scenery, Karain Village stands out not only for its history but also for a tragic legacy that holds a unique place in medical literature. Once renowned for its fertile soil, vineyards and thriving community, Karain gradually became known as the "cancer village" due to decades of mysterious deaths. A surge in pleural mesothelioma cases during the 1970s alarmed locals and the scientific community alike. The deaths of multiple people within the same families from the illness prompted comprehensive medical investigations in the settlement. Prompted by village teachers who drew attention to the abnormally high mortality rate, researchers from Hacettepe University in the capital, Ankara, conducted extensive field studies in the area. Researchers discovered that the source of the disease was erionite, a fibrous mineral present in the volcanic tuff stones used in local house construction. Although it resembles asbestos, erionite is considered significantly more dangerous by some scientific studies. Once inhaled, these fibers settle in the lungs, eventually causing pleural mesothelioma over the years. Studies revealed that the deadly mineral surrounded the residents completely, found not just in the structural stones, but right beneath their feet in the floors. The situation in Karain soon drew the attention of international scientific circles. Driven by an extraordinary surge in mesothelioma cases, the village is now cited in global medical literature as a leading example of environmental cancer caused by erionite. Medical experts determined that mesothelioma cases in the village periodically surged well above the national average. The devastating pattern of the identical disease claiming numerous lives within the same families drove researchers to spend years studying the area. Following the confirmation of the deadly health risks, a radical decision was made regarding Karain's future. The village was officially declared a disaster zone and underwent a phased evacuation. With locals relocated to a secure, newly established area known as "New Karain," the stone houses, streets and historic structures where life had flourished for decades were left completely deserted and silent. Prior to its association with the tragedy, Karain stood out as one of the most developed settlements in the entire Cappadocia region. Known for its fertile lands, vineyards and plentiful water sources, the village featured a health center, a post office and one of Türkiye's first Agricultural Credit Cooperative branches. Featuring rock-carved living spaces and the finest examples of stone craftsmanship, the village has managed to remain a major settlement center throughout history. Evacuated years ago, Karain Village is now largely abandoned. Offering visitors a unique atmosphere with its deserted streets, unused stone houses and silence, the village has come to be known as a "ghost village" over time. Over time, it began to be referred to as a "ghost village," but it preserves its historical significance as one of the most dramatic examples highlighting how environmental factors affect human health.