Body of Ghana footballer Atsu found in Turkiye quake rubble: report

HATAY, Turkiye: The body of former Ghana international Christian Atsu has been found after a huge earthquake in Turkiye, local media reported Saturday, quoting his manager. Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkiye and Syria on February 6, killing more than 43,000 people in both countries. There were initial reports he had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false.

His manager in Turkiye, Murat Uzunmehmet, told DHA news agency on Saturday that his body had been found under the rubble in the Turkish southern province of Hatay. “We have reached his lifeless body. His belongings are still being removed.

His phone was also found,” Uzunmehmet told DHA. Midfielder Atsu spent four seasons at Chelsea before a permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2017. He signed in September for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor.