A devastating earthquake hit Turkey on February 6, and it has been reported that former Chelsea and Newcastle United star, Christian Atsu, was rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building. Portuguese news outlet, A Bola, reported that Atsu was in the hospital with injuries to his right foot and breathing difficulties.
The Ghana international is currently playing for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor and was reportedly inside the building in the city of Hatay with his teammates and coaching staff at the time of the earthquake. Rescue teams were able to save Onur Ergun, Burak Oksuz, and Ruben Ribeiro, while Cape Verdean Ze Luis and Kerim Alici managed to escape on their own. However, the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, and a club interpreter are still unaccounted for.
Conflicting reports on social media dispute the claims made by the Portuguese paper, but Newcastle United posted a message of support on its Twitter profile, stating that they are “praying for some positive news”. The club expressed their concern for their former player, who represented Newcastle between 2016 and 2021 and helped the team gain promotion back into the English Premier League in 2017.
Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20. šš¤š¤ pic.twitter.com/HQT6yZOmRB
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 6, 2023
Atsu’s time at Chelsea was not as successful, as he joined the club in 2013 but was loaned out to various teams and never played a competitive game for the Blues. The west London side also expressed their thoughts and prayers toward their former player.
We're praying for you, Christian Atsu. š https://t.co/KSG2YeGpP0 pic.twitter.com/KNvQExSfid
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 6, 2023
The football world is now waiting for updates on the condition of all those affected by the earthquake, and it is hoped that Atsu and the missing Hatayspor officials will be found safe and sound.
