Former Newcastle United player Christian Atsu is among those missing after an apartment building collapsed in Turkey following Monday’s huge earthquake.
The Ghana international scored a 97th-minute winner for Turkish top-flight side Hatayspor on Sunday night as they beat Kasimpasa 1-0. Hours later, he was reported missing following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that brought down apartment blocks in several Turkish and Syrian cities.
Hatayspor vice president Mustafa Ozat told Turkish TV station Play Spor: “Christian Atsu and [club sporting director] Taner Savut are still under the rubble.”
He told BeIN Sports several players and officials had been rescued and the club was working to help others.
Christian Atsu in 2019 during his spell at Newcastle United.Credit:AP
Atsu, 31, played in the English Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton, on loan from Chelsea. He joined Hatayspor in September after a short spell in Saudi Arabia.
Newcastle, who Atsu helped win promotion to the EPL in the 2016-17 season, tweeted it was “praying for some positive news”. Chelsea also tweeted its prayers.
“We pray for Ghana international Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” the Ghana Football Association tweeted. “We remain hopeful for positive news.”
Atsu was last selected by Ghana in 2019, but has not officially retired from international football.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors, and we pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound,” Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted.
Reuters
