Following a severe earthquake in Turkey, the body of former Ghanaian international Christian Atsu was discovered, local media claimed on Saturday, quoting his management.
On February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria and killed more than 43,000 people in each nation, Atsu, 31, was among the casualties.
Atsu’s body was discovered by search and rescue personnel at the Ronesans Residence, a high-rise luxury apartment building that collapsed in Antakya city in Hatay, where he was residing.
According to state news agency Anadolu, Turkish authorities detained the building’s contractor last week at the airport in Istanbul as he seemed to be traveling to Montenegro.
Initial rumors that the former Newcastle and Chelsea footballer had been saved a day after the earthquake proved to be untrue.
His body was discovered beneath the debris in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, according to his manager in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, who spoke to DHA news agency on Saturday.
“We have reached his lifeless body. His belongings are still being removed. His phone was also found,” Uzunmehmet said to DHA.
Ghana’s ministry of foreign affairs said it had “received the unfortunate news”.
The ministry said in a statement, “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.”
Ghana stated that it was coordinating with the Turkish authorities to arrange for the return of Atsu’s body for burial in his native country.
Midfielder Atsu played for Chelsea for four seasons before moving permanently to Newcastle in 2017.
He signed last September for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor.
Chelsea in a statement declared, “It is with enormous sadness that Chelsea Football Club receives the news that Christian Atsu is confirmed as one of the many victims of the dreadful earthquake in Turkey and Syria.”
Newcastle also paid tribute to “a special person” who was “a talented player.”
The club added in the statement, “He will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.
“Initially joining on loan, he played a key role in the Magpies squad that secured the Championship title in 2017 before making a permanent move to help us establish our place back in the Premier League.”
