Elizabeth O.
Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu found dead after going missing in Turkey earthquake
The Ghanaian footballer, who played for Hatayspor before his tragic death was one of the star players from the Chelsea academy before heading to Turkey.
The 31-year-old was residing in an apartment in Hatay city which suffered huge damages during the quake.
His club Hatayspor initially reported he was rescued “with injuries” but a day later that position changed.
The news of his death was confirmed by his agent in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet.
“Christian Atsu was found and had unfortunately passed away,” he said through a brief statement on social media.
Atsu was staying in a building with a number of Hatayspor team-mates and officials. The club’s sporting director Taner Savut is also missing.
Atsu scored late in injury time to give Hatayspor a 1-0 win over Istanblul-based Kasimpaşa S.K. in the Turkish league on Feb. 5, earning him praise from his new club hours before the earthquake struck.
Some survivors are still being rescued after the quakes and aftershocks in southern Turkey and northern Syria that are known to have killed more than 40,000 people.
Atsu who previously played for English clubs Chelsea and Newcastle, signed for Hatayspor late last year. The club is based in Antakya, near the epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck in the early hours of Feb. 6, one of two major earthquakes, along with ensuing aftershocks that devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria.
