Christian Atsu: the Ghanaian footballer who emerged from the rubble of the earthquake in Turkey

CNN
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International footballer Christian Atsu has been found alive and is in “stable condition” in a local hospital following Monday’s earthquake in southern Turkey, the Ghana Football Federation and state agent said on Tuesday. Atsu.

“We have received positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment. Let us continue to pray for Christian”, the Ghana FA posted on Twitter.

Atsu’s agent, Nana Sechere, told CNN on Tuesday that his client was in “stable” condition at a local hospital after being successfully rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building. Atsu was not immediately considered following the earthquake.

Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor in Turkey, celebrated on Sunday night after scored a last minute winner in his club’s 1-0 home league game against Kasimpasa, his agent said.

“There were a lot of reports from England and Ghana that Christian was safe, but the first official confirmation I got was Tuesday morning,” Sechere said.

“The club have told me he is in hospital and stable. He doesn’t have his phone and like all of us he can’t remember his numbers by heart so I have to keep waiting for talk to him,” he said.

Sechere said Atsu played poker until 3:30 a.m. local time with friends on Monday and returned home around four a.m.

The agent said he received a call from Hatayspor club officials at 5 a.m. saying that the building Atsu was in had been completely destroyed and they could not reach him.

“The last time I heard from Christian was at midnight. I was hoping he was awake and the quake hadn’t happened while he was sleeping,” Sechere said.

“His building was an 11-story building and he was on the ninth floor. The club officials were trying to help me find him, but it was so difficult because naturally they were also trying to find their own friends and families,” he added.

“But I even remember when he signed for Hatayspor and we went to the hospital for a medical. Even then there were a lot of people queuing and people on the floor. So I can only ‘imagine what that situation looks like,’ Sechere said.

Atsu’s former club Everton said on their official Facebook page: “We are relieved to hear that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued and is recovering in hospital. Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

More than 5,000 deaths have been confirmed in Turkey and Syria with more than 21,000 people injured following the earthquakes that rocked the region on Monday.

In Turkey, casualties have been reported in 10 provinces, including Hatay, home to football team Atsu Hatayspor.

He previously represented top English clubs such as Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle.