THE vice-president of Hatayspor has confirmed that Ghanaian player Christian Atsu has been brought out alive hours after being trapped underneath a destroyed building following a huge earthquake in Turkey.
The Hatayspor forward was reported missing alongside the club’s sporting director Taner Savut in the aftermath of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake yesterday that killed thousands and destroyed tons of property.
Former Chelsea and Newcastle star Atsu is injured but is now out of the building, the Hatayspor vice-president Mustafa Özat confirmed today.
Speaking to Radyo Gol, Ozat said: “Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble.
“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”
Also today, Atsu’s team-mate Kerim Alici, a close friend, confirmed on Turkish TV that the player had been rescued alive.
Incidentally, Atsu had scored his first Hatayspor goal in a 1-0 Turkish Super Lig victory over Kasimpasa on Sunday, hours before the earthquake hit.
As at this morning, at least 5,000 people have been killed by the earthquake, the worst to hit Turkey this century.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation yesterday announced that all players from the country playing in Turkey were fine.
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