Missing footballer found alive in Turkey quake rubble

Tuesday, 7 February 2023 20:26

By Reuters/ Field Level Media

Football player Christian Atsu of Ghana was found buried alive in the rubble after Monday's earthquake in Turkey.

Officials with the Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor and the Ghana Football Association confirmed Tuesday that he was rescued from a collapsed building and is receiving treatment for unspecified injuries.

The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake has exceeded 5,000 across Turkey and Syria.

Atsu has also played for Chelsea (2013-17) and Newcastle United (2016-21) in the English Premier League. He began his pro career with Portugal's FC Porto in 2011.

The 31-year-old winger joined Hatayspor in 2022. He scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa on Sunday night.

Hours later, he was reported missing.

"Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble," Hatayspor club vice president Mustafa Ozat said, according to Reuters.

Internationally, Atsu has earned 65 caps and scored nine goals for Ghana. He was a member of the nation's 2014 FIFA World Cup team.

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