Christian Atsu found alive after earthquake; Yeni Malatyaspor goalkeeper dies

Posted Wednesday, February 08, 2023 by ESPN

Ghana winger Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Turkey, the vice president of his club, Hatayspor, told media on Tuesday.

Atsu was reported missing in Turkey's Hatay province following the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down thousands of buildings and killed more than 7,800 people in several Turkish and Syrian cities on Monday.

"Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble," club vice president Mustafa Ozat told Radyo Gol.

Ozat told BeIN Sports on Monday that several players and officials had been rescued from the rubble.

Ghana's Football Association (GFA) said Atsu has been found alive, posting on Twitter: "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."

Atsu was receiving treatment, but the GFA did not give details of any injuries.

Atsu, 31, played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton, on loan from Chelsea, and joined Hatayspor in September. He was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle player scored a 97th-minute winner for Turkish top-flight side Hatayspor on Sunday night as they beat Kasımpasa 1-0. Hours later, he was reported missing after the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down whole apartment blocks in several Turkish and Syrian cities.

The huge earthquake impacted huge swaths of Turkey and northwest Syria on Monday, with freezing winter weather adding to the plight of the thousands left injured or homeless and hampering efforts to find survivors.

Christian Atsu found alive after earthquake; Yeni Malatyaspor goalkeeper dies

Second-tier Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor confirmed on Twitter later on Tuesday that their 28-year-old goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan had died in the earthquake.

"Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace," the club said on Twitter.

"We will not forget you, beautiful person."