20.02.2025 10:22
After his house was destroyed in the earthquake in Hatay, 55-year-old Ali Bozoğlan, who has been living in a cave for 2 years, said, "I am far away from everyone and I feel very peaceful. Occasionally, snakes and mice come into the cave. I have a few prayers for the snakes. When I pray, they go away. I have an electricity problem. If I have the means, I want to use a solar panel. I want the solar panel to power the washing machine and the refrigerator."
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In Hatay, which was most affected by the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş, thousands of buildings were destroyed, and approximately 25,000 people lost their lives. The earthquake, described as a disaster of the century, changed the lives of most people living in the city overnight. 55-year-old Ali Bozoğlan, whose life changed overnight, was caught in the earthquake in the Çekmece neighborhood of the Defne district.
DISCOVERED THE CAVE 2 YEARS AGO
Bozoğlan, who is married and a father of three, saw his house destroyed in the earthquake. After the earthquake, Bozoğlan, who went through difficult psychological days, discovered a cave located within the borders of the Yaylıca neighborhood in the Samandağ district two years ago. To overcome his fear of earthquakes and to live away from people, Bozoğlan settled in the cave two years ago and found peace and tranquility there after the earthquake. Embracing the cave as his home, Ali Bozoğlan reaches the cave he lives in by climbing after riding his motorcycle for a while. Bozoğlan, who states that he meets all his needs in the cave, expressed that he finds it strange for people to live in a cave and said he is happy.
"I AM FAR FROM EVERYONE AND VERY PEACEFUL"
Bozoğlan stated that the Defne District Governorship wanted to provide him with a container, but he declined the offers because he is peaceful and happy. "I have been living here for 2 years after the earthquake, and I found peace in this cave. This cave has existed for thousands of years and has not collapsed. My days in the cave go very well, and I am at peace. I am far from everyone. The Defne District Governorship said they could provide a container wherever I wanted, but I dedicated myself to the cave because I found peace here. I spend my days washing dishes and laundry. I clean. I prepare the food I will eat. I have beautiful memories in the cave. I am far from everyone and in touch with nature. Uneducated people make negative comments about my living in the cave. Because they do not sit with me, do not chat with me, and do not know me, they make different comments. May their intelligence be abundant," he said.
"I HAVE A FEW PRAYERS FOR SNAKES, THEY GO AWAY WHEN I PRAY"
Stating that living in a cave is difficult, he said, "Many guests come here. A couple from Gaziantep stayed in the cave and slept. Since there are no windows in the cave, it stays warm inside. I do not need a warm environment. Because no matter how much snow, rain, cold, or frost there is, I never feel cold. Snakes and rats come to the cave from time to time. I have a few prayers for snakes. When I pray, they go away. Three months ago, there was a snake in my bed. When I went to bed, I saw the snake standing in front of me. I took the curtain and caught the snake. I told the snake, 'Go away, blessed one,' and let it outside.
"I HAVE AN ELECTRICITY PROBLEM, I WANT TO USE A SOLAR PANEL"
I am married and have 3 children; not everyone can live the cave life, and I live it because I am a different person. I meet all my needs here. I tried to dig a septic pit down for the toilet, but I broke the village's pipes. That's why I will do something different. I have an electricity problem. If I have the means, I want to use a solar panel. I want the solar panel to run the washing machine and refrigerator. There is a road from the back. I come from there on my motorcycle with the help of philanthropists," he said.
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