Former Premier League star missing after quake

1 year ago 41

Former Chelsea and Newcastle guardant Christian Atsu is missing and believed to beryllium trapped nether rubble pursuing the almighty earthquake that struck Turkey and near much than 2,500 radical dead.

The Ghana international, who plays for Turkish nine Hatayspor, is thought to beryllium successful a gathering that was destroyed, Hatayspor spokesperson Mustafa Özat said, according to Turkish media.

Özat said nine manager Taner Savut was besides believed to beryllium successful a gathering that collapsed and nine officials couldn't interaction some men. They were apt trapped, Özat said.

At slightest 2 different Hatayspor players had to beryllium pulled retired of rubble but were present safe, Özat said. Atsu and Savut were the lone 2 Hatayspor players oregon officials inactive unaccounted for, helium added.

The 31-year-old Atsu joined Hatayspor, which is based successful the confederate metropolis of Antakya, past twelvemonth aft a spell playing successful Saudi Arabia.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked ample parts of Turkey and neighboring Syria successful the pre-dawn hours of Monday.

The quake was centered successful Turkey's southeastern state of Kahramanmaras, and was felt arsenic acold distant arsenic Cairo successful Egypt. Hours later, a 2nd 7.5 magnitude jolt, which was perchance an aftershock, struck much than 100 kilometers (60 miles) distant from the epicenter of the earthquake and caused much destruction.

Turkish authorities said much than 3,700 buildings were destroyed. The decease toll is expected to rise.

Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo offered condolences to the radical of Turkey connected his authoritative Facebook relationship and added: "We commune that our chap Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is recovered harmless and sound."

Ghana Football Association spokesperson Henry Asante-Twum wrote successful an email to The Associated Press that they had nary quality of Atsu and Ghana's planetary relations section was seeking accusation from Turkish authorities.

Ibrahim Kwarteng, a person of Atsu, said helium had tried calling Atsu but couldn't scope him.

"We are lone praying that helium volition beryllium found," Kwarteng said.

Kwarteng runs a instauration successful Ghana that helps erstwhile prisoners convicted of petty crimes to beryllium reintegrated into nine aft their merchandise from jail. He said Atsu was the azygous largest donor to the foundation.

Newcastle said connected its authoritative Twitter relationship it was "praying for immoderate affirmative news" regarding Atsu.

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!