Relief workers on Tuesday pulled Ghana footballer Christian Atsu from the rubble of a collapsed building in the devastating earthquake that killed thousands.
“The player was pulled out of the wreckage of a building with injuries,” said the vice president of Hatayspor, Mustafa Ozat, for whom Atsu currently plays.
But Ozat told the Turkish broadcaster Gül that the club’s sports director, Taner Savut, was still under the rubble of the collapsed building.
Hatay was one of the regions closest to the epicenter of the earthquake, and was severely damaged.
The Ghana Football Association said on its Twitter account: “We have received some positive news that Atsu has been rescued and successfully recovered from the rubble of a collapsed building and is currently receiving treatment. Keep praying for him.”
The former Ghana striker played 107 games with Newcastle in five seasons between 2016 and 2021, and spent periods with other English clubs such as Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth.
The 31-year-old winger joined Hatayspor last September from the Saudi Al-Raed team.
On Sunday, hours before the earthquake, Atsu scored the winning goal for his team in the seventh minute of stoppage time from a free kick against Kasimpasa Club (1-0) in the Turkish League.
The Ghana Football Association had said on its Twitter account: “We pray for Ghana international player Christian Atsu and the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. We are continuing our efforts to communicate with officials of Hatayspor and the Turkish Football Federation due to the difficult situation.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu and our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. We remain hopeful for positive news,” he added.
For his part, Ghanaian President Nana Afoko-Addo said on Twitter, “Our prayers and hearts are with the survivors, and we pray that our Ghanaian citizen, Christian Atsu, will be found safe and sound.”
An international soccer player “under the rubble” after the devastating earthquake in Turkey
The Ghanaian international soccer player, Christian Atsu, is under the rubble as a result of the devastating earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, and claimed the lives of at least 3,600 people, in a toll that is expected to rise, according to what was announced by the vice-president of the Turkish club Hatayspor, in which the former English player plays for Newcastle. .
