The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Former Chelsea star Christian Atsu has been found dead following the devastating earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria last week.
The 31-year-old had been missing since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that took place in the early hours of the morning of February 6 – but one of his agents has now confirmed his body had been discovered under the rubble.
Murat Uzunmehmet revealed the devastating news – 12 days since the disaster struck, telling reporters: ‘Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble. Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.’
There were hopes the former Chelsea, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Everton winger had been rescued, but his club Hatayspor and agent Nana Sechere had revealed over the past week that these claims were untrue.
Several search and rescue operations in the debris of the building where Atsu and Hatayspor’s sporting director Taner Savut lived, took place – with Savut also missing.
Christian Atsu, 31, has been found dead following the devastating earthquake in Turkey
The Ghana international’s whereabouts were unknown following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake
Relatives of Atsu waited to receive news as search and rescue operations in Turkey took place
Sechere explained on Tuesday how Atsu’s exact ‘room location’ and even two pairs of his shoes had been located.
More than 42,000 people have been killed and thousands more injured in the earthquake, while millions have been left homeless.
Tremors from the deadly quake – which lasted about a minute and could be Turkey’s largest ever – were felt as far away as Egypt, Lebanon and the island of Cyprus.
Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the quake, but Hatayspor’s manager said on Friday the Ghanaian opted to stay with the club after scoring the game-winning goal in a Super Lig match on February 5.
Atsu had been in Turkey since he joined Hatayspor in Septmber last year after leaving Al-Raed
