They hid in dark, waiting for horror to end

ISTANBUL: It started off as a casual dinner party for friends on Friday night but ended in horror as an Indian family waited for the first rays of sunlight to end

ISTANBUL: It started off as a casual dinner party for friends on Friday night but ended in horror as an Indian family waited for the first rays of sunlight to end their nightmare of being trapped in an Istanbul under fire.

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When a dissident faction in Turkey’s military attempted to seize power from President Recep Tayip Erdogan with tanks and air support and shut down state broadcasters, the government limited internet access for social media sites as part of its measures to assert control, making it difficult for people to know what was happening.

But for Geeta, a 34-year-old woman from New Delhi, who did not want to use her real name, the information black-out made matters worse.

“It was the worst nightmare and we were waiting for the first trickle of light so that things could get back to normal,” Geeta told Hindustan Times.

“Our lights were all switched off and we were speaking in whispers, lest anyone hear us because we could feel the military presence outside,” the mother of a three-year-old said.

Geeta and her husband are part of the 250-odd Indians in Turkey, mostly professionals and their families living and working in Istanbul and Ankara.

Military jets flew very low, triggering sonic booms that added to the fear.

“As a mother, you feel so hopeless. I started thinking about the women in Afghanistan and what they must be going through.”

Geeta said a WhatsApp group of about 70 women helped her get through the night. “It’s made up of very determined women who love Turkey and who said no matter what, we will move on.”