A Turkish man who lost his home to a massive earthquake in 2023 has been living alone in a small cave for two years because he considers it safer than any man-made structure.

In February 2023, Southern Turkey was rocked by a Mw 7.8 earthquake that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and turned entire neighborhoods into rubble. Ali Bozoğlan, a father of three from the southern province of Hatay, lost his home to the February 6th earthquake and its aftershocks. Even though he and his family survived unscathed, Ali became so terrified of earthquakes that he decided he didn’t want to live in a man-made building anymore. Instead, he found a small and peaceful cave on the outskirts of his city and turned it into a cozy home. Although unable to convince his family to join him in his unusual home, Ali claims he is happy and at peace.

Photo: TGRT Haber

“I have been living here for 2 years after the earthquake and I found peace in this cave,” Ali Bozoğlan told TGRT Haber. “This cave has existed for thousands of years and has not collapsed.”

After hearing about the man’s living arrangements, the Defne District Governorship offered him a cozy container home somewhere closer to the city, but Ali has come to love being away from the life of the bustling city, learning to appreciate the peace and quiet of his little cave.

“I wash dishes and laundry, clean, and prepare the food I will eat. I have a beautiful life in the cave,” Ali said. “I am away from everyone and in touch with nature. Uneducated people speak badly about me living in the cave. Because they do not sit with me, talk to me, and do not know me, they make different comments.”

 

Ali admits that living alone in a cave isn’t perfect. Because it’s a natural shelter and relatively warm during the winter and cool in the summer, it attracts snakes and rodents, but he has gotten used to it. He would also love to have access to a proper toilet and running water, but it’s virtually impossible. He now plans to install solar panels so he can power his washing machine and his refrigerator, but even if his plan doesn’t work out, he doesn’t plan to trade the comfort of his cave for a man-made structure anytime soon.