Christian Atsu’s ‘Lifeless Body’ Found in Turkey Earthquake Rubble

The physique of former Ghana worldwide Christian Atsu has been discovered after an enormous earthquake in Turkey, native media reported Saturday, quoting his supervisor.

Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing greater than 43,000 individuals in each nations.

There had been preliminary studies he had been rescued a day after the quake, however these turned out to be false.

His supervisor in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, informed DHA information company on Saturday that his physique had been discovered underneath the rubble in the Turkish southern province of Hatay.

“Atsu’s lifeless physique was discovered underneath the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay, where the athlete’s body was found. “Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”

Ghana’s ministry of international affairs mentioned it had “acquired the unlucky information”.

“The elder brother and twin sister of Christian Atsu and an officer of the (Ghanaian) embassy were present at the site when the body was recovered,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement.

Ghana mentioned it was working with the Turkish authorities to organise the transport of the physique again to Atsu’s house nation for burial.

Midfielder Atsu spent 4 seasons at Chelsea earlier than a everlasting switch to Newcastle in 2017. He signed in September for Turkish Super Lig facet Hatayspor.

Chelsea issued an announcement declaring: “It is with huge disappointment that Chelsea Football Club receives the information that Christian Atsu is confirmed as one of many many victims of the dreadful earthquake in Turkey and Syria.”

Newcastle also paid hommage to “a talented player and a special person”.

The membership added: “He will at all times be fondly remembered by our gamers, employees and supporters.

“Initially becoming a member of on mortgage, he performed a key function in the Magpies squad that secured the Championship title in 2017 earlier than making a everlasting transfer to assist us set up our place again in the Premier League.”

Search and rescue workers found Atsu’s body where he was staying at Ronesans Residence, a block of high-rise luxury flats that toppled over in Antakya city in Hatay.

Turkish police arrested the building’s contractor at Istanbul airport last week as he appeared to be heading to Montenegro, according to state news agency Anadolu.

Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the quake, but Hatayspor’s manager said on Friday the Ghanaian opted to stay with the club after scoring the game-winning goal in a Feb. 5 Super Lig match.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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