Former Chelsea and Newcastle footballer trapped in debris post Turkey earthquake

Former Chelsea and Newcastle United football player, Christian Atsu is reported to be stuck under the debris. The 31-year-old has been in Turkey before the earthquake that killed more than 2500 people. The Ghana player plays for Hatayspor and is thought to be in a building that was destroyed. Hatayspor spokesman Mustafa Özat said, according to Turkish media.

Özat said club director Taner Savut was also believed to be in a building that collapsed and club officials couldn’t contact both men. Notably, other players of the Hatayspor were also stuck. However, they have been rescued but the likes of Atsu and Savut were the only two people still unaccounted for. Atsu has been part of the team since last year.

Talking about the earthquake 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked large parts of Turkey and neighboring Syria in the pre-dawn hours of February 6. The quake was centered in Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaras and was felt as far away as Cairo in Egypt. Hours later, a second 7.5 magnitude jolt, which was possibly an aftershock, struck more than 100 kilometers (60 miles).

Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo offered condolences to the people of Turkey on his official Facebook account and added:  “We pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound.”

Ibrahim Kwarteng, a friend of Atsu, said he had tried calling Atsu but couldn’t reach him. “We are only praying that he will be found,” Kwarteng said.

Newcastle said on its official Twitter account it was “praying for some positive news” regarding Atsu.