Former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu was reportedly trapped under rubble after a devastating earthquake killed more than 1,500 people in Turkey and Syria on Monday morning.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle star, who now plays for Turkish club Hatayspor, is reported missing along with club director Taner Suvut in the area where the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck.
“Taner Savut and Christian Atsu remained under the rubble,” a Turkish newspaper reports. star paper. “Search and rescue teams looking for two names.”
According to the newspaper, two other Hatayspor players and two employees were rescued after the crash.
Newcastle United tweeted a photo of Astu and said the club was “praying for positive news”.
The Ghana Football Association said it was investigating the reports and would “keep in contact with all authorities and non-governmental organizations as we continue to hope for positive news.”
Former President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama posted a message: “Let’s keep praying for our brother.”
Ghanaian striker Atsu spent most of his career in England before joining Saudi Arabian club Al Raed in 2021 and Super League club Hatayspor next year.
He scored the winning goal against Kasimpasha on Sunday, just hours before the crash.
Prominent football figures and supporters of Atsu’s former clubs posted messages in support of the player.
Ghanaian sportswriter George Addo Jr. tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu, who is said to be among the thousands trapped under the rubble of Turkey’s devastating earthquake.”
Hatayspor did not publicly comment on the allegations and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Another player, goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Turkaslan, is also missing.
Our prayers are with you, his club This is reported by Yeni Malatyaspor on Twitter.
An earthquake in southern Turkey near the Syrian border was named by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan as the strongest since 1939, reportedly affecting 10 cities.
Thousands of assistants are involved in the rescue operation, more than 40 countries have offered their help. The death toll is expected to rise.
Source: I News
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