Agencies
Ghana international winger Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Turkiye, the vice president of the club Hatayspor told media on Tuesday.
Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, was reported missing in Turkiye’s Hatay province following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that brought down thousands of buildings, killing more than 4500 people, in several Turkish and Syrian cities on Monday.
“Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble,” club vice president Mustafa Ozak told Radyo Gol.
Atsu, 31, played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton, on loan from Chelsea, and joined Hatayspor in September.
Ozat told BeIN Sports on Monday several players and officials had been rescued from the rubble.
Earlier, Newcastle, who Atsu helped win promotion to the EPL in the 2016-17 season, tweeted it was “praying for some positive news”. Chelsea also tweeted its prayers.
“We pray for Ghana international Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” the Ghana Football Association tweeted. “We remain hopeful for positive news.”
Atsu was last selected by Ghana in 2019, but has not officially retired from international football.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors, and we pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound,” Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted.
