The soccer world can take a sigh of relief now as there is a positive update about Ghanaian forward Christian Atsu. The 31-year-old Hatayspor forward went missing under the rubbles after a terrifying earthquake took place in Turkey. But to everyone’s delight, Atsu has been found alive by the rescue team.
In the early morning of Sunday, a tremor of 7.8 magnitudes hit the southern part of Turkey. The Hatay-based club, Hatayspor is situated in the south of Turkey and it affected them quite a lot. There was another 7.5 magnitude tremor that also struck the Northern parts of Syria alongside Turkey. Almost immediately a massive rescue operation was initiated after the quake.
BREAKING: Former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu is reportedly among those trapped under rubble after a huge earthquake hit Turkey. pic.twitter.com/a66uVAqImh
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 6, 2023
More than 2,500 people are reportedly dead. And an unknown number of people got injured alongside a subsequent number of people went missing as well. Turkish media sources reported that Christian Atsu was missing in the aftermath of the natural disaster. Hatayspor’s sporting director Taner Savut was also one of those who went missing under the rubble.
The entire soccer world showed their sympathy and concern for the former Newcastle man. Ghana Football Association released a concerning statement for Atsu. It said, “We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. We continue with our efforts to establish contact with officials of Hatayspor and the Turkish Football Federation, considering the difficult situation,” addressing Atsu.
How is Christian Atsu doing now?
Christian Atsu left Newcastle in 2021 for the Turkish outfit Hatayspor. The 31-year-old skillful forward only made his third Super League appearance before the night of the disaster. Atsu gave the Hatay-based club a moment of joy when he smashed an injury-time free-kick past the Kasimpasa goalie. It was the only goal of the match. And very significantly this goal pulled Hatayspor out of the relegation zone and place them 14th on the table.
A Turkish media source ABOLA came up with the latest update of Atsu. The Ghanaian forward has been found alive and he was rushed to the hospital due to injuries. At this moment he is in hospital with an injured right foot and some breathing difficulties. However, the sporting director Taner Savut is still missing and there is no news of him till now.
Christian Atsu HAS been found ALIVE and has now been rescued from the rubble and transported to hospital after suffering injuries to his right foot & suffering from breathing difficulties.
Amazing news. Huge love to the rescue team & Chrstian Atsu, you my friend are warrior! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YpD05otXZp
— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) February 6, 2023
The rescue teams have managed to find Hatayspor’s Onur Ergun and Burak Eksuz alive alongside Atsu. Kerim Alici and Cape Verde international Ze Luis fought their way out of the rubble by themselves. Thankfully enough, the whole Kasimpasa team, who traveled to Hatay for the match, are entirely safe. They returned by private jet on Monday.
Christian Atsu’s news has been a breath of fresh air for the fans and we hope to find the other missing individuals as well. But sadly, the number of deaths keeps rising alongside countless injuries to people who managed to come out alive. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Turkey and Syria.