One Japanese tourist has been killed and another seriously wounded in an attack in the Goreme district in the central Anatolian town of Nevsehir, local media reported on Monday.

A local official identified the dead tourist as Mai Kurihara, with compatriot Hoshie Teramatsu seriously wounded.

He added that they were attacked while visiting the Zemi Valley, a popular destination for tourists.

The pair were found by another group of tourists who immediately alerted the authorities.

Teramatsu was transferred to a nearby hospital and was under treatment.

Officials said a motive for the attack was not known and an investigation was underway