Several Turkish media are reporting that Black Stars striker Christian Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor in Turkey, is among the thousands left behind in the rubble of the devastating earthquake on Monday morning in that country.
The former Newcastle United winger, along with club director Taner Savut, are said to be wanted by the search and rescue team.
The 30-year-old ex-Black Star player was in action for the club this weekend when they beat Kasimpasa in the Turkish top flight with the Ghanaian’s only goal.
Hatayspor Sportif Direktörü Taner Savut ve Cristian Atsu, enkaz altında kaldı. Arama kurtarma ekipleri iki ismi arıyor.
— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) February 6, 2023
🚨Former Chelsea and Newcastle United star Christian Atsu is amongst the victims reportedly trapped under rubble after a huge earthquake hit Turkey as search and rescue efforts get underway. 🇹🇷🙏
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) February 6, 2023
Following this, Ghanaians have taken to social media, especially Twitter to lift up prayers for the former Chelsea winger.
Celebrities like Lydia Forson and Saddick Adams are leading the prayers for Christian Atsu to saved on Twitter.
See some reactions below;
Praying for Christian Atsu. I believe he will be found soon. 🙏🏾
— miss forson (@lydiaforson) February 6, 2023
Prayers with you Christian Atsu. Stay safe bro ❤️ https://t.co/wI5v1a4bwF
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 6, 2023
Thoughts and prayers with 🇬🇭Christian Atsu, who is reportedly among thousands of people left under the rubble of a devastating earthquake in Turkey
🙏🙏🙏🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/jK6upZdKRR
— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) February 6, 2023
Christian Atsu is reported to be part of the people trapped under the rubble after the earthquake in Turkey, say a prayer for him 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5AhIvs10k7
— Malik Ofori (@malikofori) February 6, 2023
Christian Atsu is reported to be part of the people trapped under the rubble after the earthquake in Turkey .
Lord, have mercy 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Rg3ChF2WRb
— Afia Empress 🇬🇭❤️ (@SistaAfia_) February 6, 2023
Wherever you’re say a prayer for Christian Atsu🙏🏽💔 pic.twitter.com/Eigs0uTLZ0
— Formula🌵 (@1realFormula) February 6, 2023
Let’s pray for Christian Atsu….. this video shows a building collapsing after the Turkey earthquake pic.twitter.com/nlccbBN8gP
— Bright Kankam Boadu (@TheOnlyBKB) February 6, 2023
God have mercy on Christian Atsu 🙏🏾 and Turkey 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/PP4NtYPIXa
— AbeikuSantana (@AbeikuSantana) February 6, 2023
News about Christian Atsu being okay will most definitely be the biggest win for Ghanaians this year.🙏
— Kobby Founda🇬🇭 (@Founda__) February 6, 2023
Every Ghanaian should spend a minute praying so Christian Atsu is found alive and healthy. He’s under the rubble after the Earthquake in Turkey😭🥺
Ghana for Atsu, let’s pray 🙏 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FQkL95vUan
— Half Virgin💦 (@modap_) February 6, 2023
A powerful earthquake struck southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, killing more than 1,000 people as they slept and many more trapped in the early hours of Monday.
The US Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude quake struck at 4 a.m.:
17 local time (01:
17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9 km (11 mi) near the city of Gaziantep.
A few hours later, a second 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Elbistan district in Kahramanmaras province.
So far, extra than 900 humans have died in Turkey and 500 in Syria.
Last September, the 30-year-old Black Star signed a 1-year contract to join the Turkish team after playing for Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Joy Sports, a Turkish journalist said, “There was a huge earthquake in Turkey last night and the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.7 and 11 cities were affected and one of was Hatay, located in the south of the country.
“Two football players from Hatayspor were taken out from under wreckage but one of them is perceived to be still under wreckage in Hatay city and he is Christian Atsu. He scored a goal in the club’s last game [on Sunday] but today according to the news, Atsu cannot be reachable at the moment.
“The rescue teams are trying to find him at the moment.”
