Ex-Newcastle, Everton, Chelsea player Christian Atsu is reportedly ‘trapped under rubble’ after a serious earthquake in Turkey.
Turkish media outlet Star.com claims that a search and rescue operation has begun to locate the Ghana international after he was injured in Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
The 31 years old, who joined Super Lig club Hatayspor last summer from Saudi side Al-Raed, is still being searched for with several members of his team also needing to be rescued.
BREAKING: Former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu is reportedly among those trapped under rubble after a huge earthquake hit Turkeyhttps://t.co/ihdWzlgkLW
— Mirror Breaking News (@MirrorBreaking_) February 6, 2023
It’s Atsu and Hatayspors’s sporting director Taner Savut still missing in the rubble with the location of Kahramanmaras hit hard by the earthquake, where Hatayspor is based.
Star.com write: “2 players from Hatayspor and 2 people from the technical team were rescued.
“Burak Öksüz , wearing a Hatayspor shirt, was pulled out of the rubble. Bertuğ Yıldırım ‘s condition is also good.
“Ekrem Ekşioğlu and Osman Ateş from the technical team in Hatayspor survived the wreckage. Kerim Alici also came out of the wreckage with his own means, and his health is good.
“Hatayspor Sporting Director Taner Savut and Christian Atsu were left under the rubble. Search and rescue teams are looking for two names.”
In a dramatic rescue operation, two players and technical staff members were “pulled from the rubble” with efforts continuing to be made to locate Atsu as well as Savut as soon as possible.
Over 1,000 people were killed in the earthquake that struck Turkey on Monday morning at 4am.
Experts believe that the death toll could rise up to 10,000 if a second 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurs later.
Syria, a neighbouring country, was also badly affected by the earthquakes felt in Egypt as well as Cyprus.
Yesterday, Atsu scored a goal in the 97th minute for Hatayspor versus Kasimpasa.
“I convey my best wishes to all our citizens who were affected by the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş and was felt in many parts of our country,” Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement.
“All our relevant units are on alert under the coordination of AFAD (the disaster and emergency management presidency).
“Our search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the areas affected by the earthquake. Our Ministry of Interior and Health, AFAD, Governorships and all other institutions started their work rapidly.
“We also coordinate the works initiated after the earthquake. We hope that we will get through this disaster together as soon as possible and with the least damage, and we continue our work.”
Former Turkey international and Hatayspor first team manager Volkan Demirel was in tears on social media as he implored the world to help his homeland after it and Syria suffered an earthquake.
‘Help! I want you to send all the resources you have to the environmentalist. It is not just Hatay and Antakya,’ Demirel pleaded.
‘Please, I’m asking you. Please, please, for the love of God, people are dying here. For the love of God…’
😢🇹🇷 Ex-Fenerbahçe goalkeeper and current Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel was in tears on Instagram live.
Türkiye has been hit with a very severe earthquake: 7.8 magnitude, with hundreds sadly confirmed dead. pic.twitter.com/Sr9QqyFI6v
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 6, 2023
Fans expressed concern with the ex-Newcastle, Everton, Chelsea player ‘trapped under rubble’ after an earthquake in Turkey…
@Shreya_Elle: This is unbelievably heartbreaking. Hope he is rescued safely.
@Jrh11223366: Literally made his debut yesterday and scored, prying for all those affected and hope everyone missing is found safe 🙏🤲
@Liam_Smithh: Praying for Christian Atsu, one of footballs good guys. A great servant to NUFC with vital contributions during that championship winning season. Praying for good news
@tynetakes: Pray he’s okay as well as all the other people trapped. So sad
@thomashammond__: Just seen the Atsu news, absolutely devastating, praying him and his family are okay 🙏 #NUFC
@LesHigginsPhoto: Thoughts and prayers that Christian Atsu is ok after being trapped under rubble in the Turkish earthquake !! 🙏#NUFC
@ToonMouthTyne: Distressing reports coming out about Atsu being trapped under rubble in Turkey earthquake. Thoughts and prayers from the #NUFC family needed today…..🙏 🙏 🙏
@MagpieGroupNUFC: Praying for Christian Atsu 🙏
@HowesTheBacon: Awful. Hope they are all ok.
@jtnufc_: Praying for positive news 🙏 #NUFC
@Joeeeeeee_96: Horrible news. Here’s hoping they and anyone else still trapped are found safe and sound
@Laurenc56038948: Christ. Fingers crossed for Atsu
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