Since the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey last year, Istanbul has been seized by earthquake fever, with residents of Europe's most populous city living in constant fear of facing similar devastation.

Situated near the North Anatolia faultline, Istanbul has experienced at least 34 significant earthquakes in the past 2,000 years. Smaller tremors serve as regular reminders of the lurking danger beneath the city's streets.

The stark images of destruction witnessed in Turkey last February have only intensified the anxiety among Istanbul's inhabitants, who dread the unpredictable arrival of "the big one."

With an official population of 16 million, Istanbul's true population, estimated at 20 million by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, exacerbates the potential impact of any seismic event.

The majority of residents reside in apartment buildings of five storeys or taller, nestled in compact neighborhoods with limited open spaces. Buildings constructed before 1999, particularly vulnerable since the devastating earthquake in the eastern Marmara Sea that claimed 18,000 lives, are still prevalent in the city's landscape. Officials estimate that these older structures constitute two-thirds of Istanbul's constructions.

Despite concerns about building safety, many residents find themselves trapped due to soaring property prices, unable to afford safer accommodations. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu acknowledges the economic challenges, citing an annual inflation rate of 65 percent, which hampers efforts to safeguard the city from potential catastrophe.

As Istanbul grapples with its vulnerability to earthquakes, the looming threat underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect the city and its residents from future disasters.