It’s a black day for football fans across the globe as former Chelsea player and Ghana international Christian Atsu was reportedly buried in an earthquake in Turkey.
In the wee hours of today, the world awoke to the heart-rending news of a massive earthquake that has brought down a couple of buildings in Turkey.
Viral footage on social media have shown an incredible wreckage and debri of buildings and facilities leveled by the earthquake.
Unfortunately, a number of victims have been trapped by the collapsed structures and buildings leveled by the earthquake.
Christian Atsu is reportedly among those trapped and buried by the rubble. Meanwhile, some victims have been rescued alive.
At the time of filing this report, massive rescue operation was underway, with other countries sending in logistical support to aid the operations and clear the huge rubble.
For now, Christian Atsu is yet to be found, but it has been confirmed that one of the tall buildings in which he and other players lodged collapsed in the earthquake.
Several members of his new team had to be rescued after the earthquake and Atsu is now reported to be amongst those still missing as a search and rescue operation gets underway.
Hatalyspor’s sporting director, Taner Savut, is also reportedly trapped in the building as efforts to free them continue.
According to Saddick Adams, Christian Atsu was reportedly on the 9th floor of the collapsed building, including 9 other players and two officials.
At the time of filing this report, three players and one more official have been rescued, and there are hopes Christian Atsu may likely be rescued alive from the rubble.
Christian Atsu formerly plied his trade in the English Premier League as a Chelsea player. Despite joining the London club, he failed to make a single appearance for the club, and was loaned to other clubs in the Premier League.
Christian Atsu played for Bournemouth and Everton on loan, before he joined Newcastle United permanently.
The Ghana international left Newcastle United after playing 100 matches for the Magpies to join Saudi side Al-Raed.
In the summer, the former Premier League star left Al-Raed for Turkey where he currently plays for Turkish Super Lig side Hatalyspor.
Hours before the earthquake, Christian Atsu scored his first goal for the club, helping the club bagged all three points.
He has made 65 appearances for the Black Stars of Ghana, and Ghanaians have swung into prayers for the former Newcastle star as the search operation continues, including Ghana President Nana Kofi Ado.
As the rescue operation continues over 1,300 people have reportedly lost their lives in the disaster, with a further 6,000 injured, according to officials.
The magnitude of the earthquake is said to have been 7.5, and while the rescue operations continued, another of a higher magnitude of 7.8 is said to have occured. Reports say the impact of the earthquake was felt hours after it occured in neighboring countries such as Syria, Iraqi, and Kurdistan.
