Christian Atsu, a former Premier League player for Chelsea and Newcastle, remains missing after a powerful earthquake rocked Turkey early Monday morning.
According to Portuguese outlet A BOLA, the player has been rescued and is in the hospital with breathing difficulties. This is false. According to his agent, Christian Atsu is still missing.
Said Hatayspor Board Member Mustafa Özat: “I received information that Christian Atsu was rescued from the rubble, but it was NOT true.”
“I gave the same information to the press, but at the moment, the information received is that Atsu and Taner Savut are under the rubble.”
31-year-old Atsu had just scored a superb last-minute game-winning free-kick for Turkish club Hatayspor last night.
But now it's feared that Atsu may have been buried under the rubble of the quake. He was reportedly on the 9th floor of one of the buildings before it collapsed.
Three other players from the team have been rescued from the same building. Those are Faustina Kyeremeh, Suzzy Dede Teye, and Priscilla Okyere.
Christian Atsu scored a last minute game-winning freekick for Turkish club @Hatayspor_FK just yesterday pic.twitter.com/UuzkwC83vw
— SoccerGator.io (@Soccergator_io) February 6, 2023
Former clubs, teammates, and fans offer prayer for Atsu
The devastating power of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the nation at 4:17 AM, leaving destruction in its wake.
Reports from Turkey confirm that the Ghanian international has been missing since the quake hit, with thousands of fatalities and buildings damaged and destroyed.
The United States Geological Survey says that the death toll from the Turkey and Syria earthquake could result in 10,000 deaths.
Atsu's former English club Newcastle Tweeted looking for “some positive news.”
Ghanian teammate Asamoah Gyan issued a prayer for his teammate, saying, “God please.” 🙏
The Turkish government has suspended all sports competitions “until further notice.”
Photo: Twitter/RmaOzil23
