According to local media in Turkey, the corpse of Ghana international and former Chelsea player, Christian Atsu, has been found after a dangerous earthquake in the country.
Atsu’s life was cut short by a 7.8-magnitude quake that occurred in Turkey and Syria on February 6 which killed over 43,000 people in both countries.
Initially, there were reports that the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been liberated a day after the quake, but the reports turned out to be false.
While talking to DHA recently, his manager in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, revealed that his body had been discovered under the rubble in the Turkish southern province of Hatay.
Uzuumehmet said: “We have reached his lifeless body. His belongings are still being removed. His phone was also found.”
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the sad development and said it had “received the unfortunate news”.
In a statement, the Ministry said: “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 said it was liaising with the Turkish government to organize the transport of the corpse back to the country for burial.
Atsu spent four seasons at Chelsea before he made a permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2017.
He joined Turkish Super Lig side, Hatayspor, in September 2022.
Chelsea Football Club has issued a statement in respect of his death. The statement read: “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.”
Also, Newcastle paid tribute to “a talented player and a special person”.
Newcastle said: “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.”
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