I have PTSD of walking there in 2023's October :D
I remember how insane the density of people was. On my last day in Istanbul, I had to run off there on the 100th anniversary. Jets were flying over the bridge, huge roars of jet engines. I was walking down old streets to get to it. People all over the bridge. Public transport was practically still in Eminönü at that point.
My flight was a bit later, but I had been waiting for a film place right by one of your pictures to develop my film before I left, and I had to get there to collect the scans and the film.
It's not a surprise to me that it was so crowded, but maybe you were surprised. This is Istanbul, man. When do you plan to visit again?