Christian Atsu ‘Found Alive’ In Rubble From Turkey Earthquake | General Sports

Christian Atsu has been found alive following reports that he was ‘trapped’ after an earthquake in Turkey.

The 31-year-old, who played for Chelsea and Newcastle during his time in the Premier League, was caught in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on Monday.

Portuguese outlet A Bola has reported that Atsu has now been rescued from the wreckage and has been transported to hospital after suffering injuries to his right leg and breathing difficulties.

Journalist Saddick Adams claims to have contacted Atsu’s management team and confirmed the winger is safe. Adams previously tweeted that Atsu “is on the 9th floor of the collapsed building with 9 other players and 2 officials. 3 players and one official have been rescued. Club officials are on site while the search continues.”

Hatayspor, Atsu’s current club, is located in the city of Hatay, Turkey, which is considered to be one of the areas worst affected by the incident. As well as Atsu, it has been reported that the club’s sporting director Taner Savut and an interpreter were trapped after the earthquake.

Other footballers, including Onur Ergun and Burak Oksuz, were rescued after the incident. Two other friends of Atsu, Ruben Ribeiro and Ze Luis, were also safe, while Kerim Alici managed to free himself from the wreckage.

Atsu, who joined Chelsea as a teenager in 2013 after leaving Porto, has also had spells with a number of other top flight clubs including Everton and Bournemouth before his move to St James’ Park.

He joined Hatayspor in the summer and scored his first goal for the club on Sunday night – just hours before disaster struck Turkey.

It is reported that at least 2,800 people have been killed in the aftermath of the incident with more than 12,000 others believed to be injured in Turkey and Syria. A massive aftershock of magnitude 7.5 struck southern Turkey just hours after the original quake. The report says it is being felt again in Syria as well as Iraqi Kurdistan.

I am still in contact with Christian Atsu’s management. A teammate of Atsu has confirmed to them, the player has been found and taken to the hospital.

He is awaiting an official statement from the club.

Prayers are still with him and everyone. Believe in God for salvation 🙏 pic.twitter.com/J9GFZyac2O

– Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 6, 2023