A spokesman for the Ghana Football Association has confirmed that former Chelsea and Newcastle United striker Christian Atsu was found alive in the rubble of a collapsed building after the deadly earthquake that hit Turkey. The 31-year-old played for Hatayspor and was reported missing on Monday after the 7.8 quakes struck in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria.
Atsu is an experienced international player with 65 appearances for his country and several goals for Ghana at the 2014 World Cup. He has also voted the player of the tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations, where his nation finished runners-up.
The GFA said in a tweet on Tuesday that Atsu is receiving treatment. It is not clear what the cause of his injuries is.
According to Reuters, Atsu was reportedly in the Kahramanmaras region of southern Turkey when the quake hit. He has been reported missing by his teammates. Several of his teammates have since been rescued, including Burak Oksuz and Bertuf Yildirim, who was pulled from a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras. Several other members of the club were reportedly missing.
Atsu’s team-mate, Eyup Turkaslan, is believed to be trapped in a collapsed hotel where he was staying in Kahramanmaras. Following his entrapment, his wife shared a tearful message on social media. Yeni Malatyaspor’s team-mate, goalkeeper Ahmed Turkaslan, is also thought to be trapped.
One of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Turkey in recent history has left thousands dead and tens of thousands injured. The quake hit early on Monday morning and was felt as far afield as Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. A series of aftershocks followed it.
Over 5,000 people died in the quake and its aftershocks, while dozens of buildings collapsed. Rescue efforts are underway in the country’s 10 provinces and a massive military effort is to reach the worst-hit areas.
The quake has sparked an urgent call for assistance by the United Nations and its member states.
US President Joe Biden called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to express condolences and pledged US assistance if needed.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” to the Turkish and Syrian governments while urging all nations to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter, and food aid. The UN is sending humanitarian experts to the area and is working to coordinate support from member countries.
The death toll in Turkey has climbed to 4,800 while 6,000 people have been rescued. At least 5,606 buildings have collapsed, including Orhan Tatar.
Roads to Hatay, Kahramanmaras, and Adiyaman were closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles. The government provides temporary housing and transport services to needy people, with 380,000 survivors now sheltered.
