Ghana footballer Atsu found dead in Türkiye quake rubble

ANKARA: Former Ghana international Christian Atsu was found dead on Saturday (Feb 18), almost two weeks after a devastating earthquake in Türkiye.

The ex-Chelsea winger was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Türkiye and Syria on Feb 6, killing more than 45,000 people in both countries.

There were initial reports the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false.

His manager in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, told DHA news agency on Saturday that his body had been found under the rubble of luxury flats that crumbled 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.

Ghana's ministry of foreign affairs said it had "received the unfortunate news".

"The elder brother and twin sister of Christian Atsu and an officer of the (Ghanaian) embassy were present at the site when the body was recovered," the ministry said in a statement.

Ghana said it was working with the Turkish government to organise the transport of the body back to Atsu's home country for burial.

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.

"We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person. There are no words to describe our sadness," Hatayspor said on Twitter.

Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Türkiye hours before the quake, but Hatayspor's manager said on Friday (Feb 17) the Ghanaian opted to stay with the club after scoring the game-winning goal in a Feb 5 Super Lig match.

Chelsea issued a statement declaring: "It is with enormous sadness that Chelsea