Former World Cup star Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Turkey.
“Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble,” Mustafa Ozat, vice president of the 31-year-olds Turkish Super Lig team Hatayspor, told Radyo Gol. Former World Cup star Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the Turkey earthquake.AFP via Getty Images People walk past collapsed buildings after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, Turkey on Feb 6. Getty Images Smoke was seen rising from burning containers at a port in Iskenderun, Turkey, where the earthquake struck.REUTERS
Ozat previously told BeIN Sports on Monday that several players and officials had been rescued from the rubble after the 7.8 magnitude quake, whose death toll has climbed to about 5,000 people across Turkey and Syria.
Atsu, who is originally from Ghana, joined Hatayspor in September after playing in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton, on loan from Chelsea. “Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble,” Mustafa Ozat, vice president of the Turkish Super Lig team Hatayspor said. Newcastle United Previous 1 of 7 Next
Advertisement Several players and officials had been rescued from the rubble after the 7.8 magnitude quake, according to reports. REUTERS Officials say the death toll has climbed to nearly 5,000 people across Turkey and Syria. AP Advertisement An elderly woman got emotional standing and looked out at the rubble and damages left behind by the powerful earthquake. REUTERS Rescue personnel search for victims and survivors through the rubble of buildings in Kahramanmaras. AFP via Getty Images A destroyed building fell on top of vehicles in Nurdagi, Turkey during the earthquake. AP Advertisement
The former Newcastle United winger had just scored a last-minute goal Sunday to lead his Turkish team to victory.
He was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019 and took part in the 2014 World Cup. In 2015, he won best player at the African Cup of Nations.
His team is based in the southern city of Antakya, which has been decimated by the powerful temblor.