An update has been made on Christian Atsu‘s condition in hospital after being found in the rubble of a collapsed building.
The former Premier League player has finally been rescued following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, which left thousands dead and injured.
Atsu, who was reportedly missing with Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut, is injured but is now out of the building, the club’s vice president Mustafa Özat has confirmed.
Atsu is said to have injured his right foot and is also suffering from breathing difficulties.
Speaking to Radyo Gol, Ozat said: ‘Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble.’
He added: ‘Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.’
On Tuesday morning, Atsu’s team-mate Kerim Alici, who is also a close friend, also confirmed on Turkish TV that the player had been rescued alive.
After the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday night, more than 4,100 people were killed and many others injured. It flattened neighbourhoods as families slept, it also caused a tsunami in Turkey and Syria.
Ajansspor shared footage on social media showing a rescue team in Ekinci, Adiyaman District.
The video claims that the voices of Atsu and Savut, the sporting director, can be heard.
İnönü Bulvarı Ekinci Mahallesi No: 62 Rönesans Rezidans
Çok sayıda insanın sesinin geldiği, Hentbol oyuncusu Cemal Kütahyalı, Hatayspor Sportif Direktörü Taner Savut ve futbolcu Cristian Atsu’nun da olduğu sitede ekipler otoparka girmeye çalışıyor. pic.twitter.com/rymcNGlxan
— Ajansspor (@ajansspor) February 6, 2023
Update: We’ve received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment.
Let’s continue to pray for Christian🙏🏽
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) February 7, 2023
Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported that Savut is in a panic and rescue teams are trying to navigate the rubble.
It was reported that Hatayspor players Burak OKsuz and Kerem Alici, along with team officials Ekrem Eksioglu, and Osman Attes were rescued from the rubble the first day.
After joining on loan from Chelsea for the 2017 season, Atsu joined the Newcastle team and was promoted to the Premier League. He later moved permanently. He also has 65 caps for Ghana.
A post on Newcastle’s official Twitter account said: ‘Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20.’
Atsu was in action on Sunday for Hatayspor, scoring a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time in a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa.
In a message after the game, he wrote: ‘Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet.’
The earthquake hit hard in Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor are based.
Hatayspor player Onur Ergun posted an Instagram story in response to earlier reports that he is missing to say they were incorrect.
‘Thank you very much to everyone who called and asked,’ the midfielder said. ‘The news is not true. I’m fine.
‘I can’t answer the phone because there is a network problem. Get well soon to all of us.’
Former Turkey international and Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel broke down in tears on social media as he wanted the world to help his homeland after the earthquake.
Demirel, who made 63 senior caps for Turkey during his international career, went on Instagram in a live video on Monday morning to beg for support.
‘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…’
Despite starting the video off in composed, Demirel ended up breaking down in tears as he begged for help, appropriately capturing the grief and anguish his nation is experiencing after the earthquake.
The wife of Hatayspor boss Demirel was tearful in a message after a massive aftershock. The first quake could be felt in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel.
‘Hatay is in a very bad way,’ Zeynep Sever Demirel said in a video shared on social media.
Fans reacted as an update is made on Christian Atsu’s condition in hospital after being found in a collapsed building…
@kirby1908: This us fantastic news. I hope everyone praying for a miracle during this natural disaster receives one. I hope everyone gets their happy ending
@Toonpedro: So pleased he’s been found alive.
@S1monComposes: This is some good news!!
@stevenhubery: Wow. Amazing 🙏🏽 👏🏽
@Relentless_233: They found Christian Atsu alive. 🙌🏽🥂
@Tinalouise84: Thats brilliant news, speedy recovery Christian Atsu mate and everyone else involved #NUFC #NUFCFans
@DNA_EFC: Brilliant 💙
@Blackhino: Great news about Christian Atsu 🙏
@foreverayellow: incredibly sad whats happened in turkey and syria, just hope as many people can be found safe and wish them the best in recovery.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login