Former Chelsea ahead Christian Atsu lacking after Turkey earthquake

The 31-year-old Atsu joined Hatayspor, which is predicated within the southern metropolis of Antakya, final 12 months after a spell enjoying in Saudi Arabia.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

Former Chelsea and Newcastle ahead Christian Atsu is lacking and believed to be trapped underneath rubble following the highly effective earthquake that struck Turkey on Monday and left greater than 2,500 folks lifeless

The Ghana worldwide, who performs for Turkish membership Hatayspor, is considered in a constructing that was destroyed, Hatayspor spokesman Mustafa Özat stated, in line with Turkish media.

Özat stated membership director Taner Savut was additionally believed to be in a constructing that collapsed and membership officers could not contact each males. They have been doubtless trapped, Özat stated.

At the very least two different Hatayspor gamers needed to be pulled out of rubble however have been now protected, Özat stated. Atsu and Savut have been the one two Hatayspor gamers or officers nonetheless unaccounted for, he added.

The 31-year-old Atsu joined Hatayspor, which is predicated within the southern metropolis of Antakya, final 12 months after a spell enjoying in Saudi Arabia.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked giant components of Turkey and neighboring Syria within the pre-dawn hours of Monday.

The quake was centered in Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, and was felt as far-off as Cairo in Egypt. Hours later, a second 7.5 magnitude jolt, which was presumably an aftershock, struck greater than 100 kilometers (60 miles) away from the epicenter of the earthquake and brought on extra destruction.

Turkish authorities stated greater than 3,700 buildings have been destroyed. The dying toll is anticipated to rise.

Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo provided condolences to the folks of Turkey on his official Fb account and added: “We pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound.”

Ghana Football Association spokesman Henry Asante-Twum wrote in an email to The Associated Press that they had no news of Atsu and Ghana’s international relations department was seeking information from Turkish authorities.

Ibrahim Kwarteng, a friend of Atsu, said he had tried calling Atsu but couldn’t reach him.

“We are only praying that he will be found,” Kwarteng said.

Kwarteng runs a foundation in Ghana that helps former prisoners convicted of petty crimes to be reintegrated into society after their release from jail. He said Atsu was the single largest donor to the foundation.

Newcastle said on its official Twitter account it was “praying for some positive news” relating to Atsu.