The body of former Ghana international Christian Atsu has been found after a devastating earthquake in Turkey, local media reported Saturday.
On February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Turkey and Syria, killing over 43,000 people in both countries, including Atsu, 31.
The initial reports that the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued one day after the earthquake proved to be false.
Murat Uzunmehmet, his manager in Turkey, told the DHA news agency on Saturday that his body had been discovered beneath the rubble in the southern Turkish 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 stated that it was coordinating with the Turkish government to transport Atsu’s body back to his native country.
Atsu, a midfielder, spent four seasons at Chelsea before transferring permanently to Newcastle in 2017. Last September, he signed with Turkish Super League club Hatayspor.
Chelsea issued a statement declaring: “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.”
Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023
Newcastle also paid hommage to “a talented player and a special person”.
The club added: “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.”
We are profoundly saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in Turkey's devastating earthquakes.
A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.
Rest in peace, Christian. 🖤🤍
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 18, 2023
Search and rescue personnel located Atsu’s body at Ronesans Residence, a block of high-rise luxury apartments that collapsed in Antakya, Hatay.
According to state news agency Anadolu, Turkish police arrested the building’s contractor at Istanbul’s airport last week as he appeared to be en route to Montenegro.
