Following a significant earthquake in Turkey, the body of former Ghanaian international, Christian Atsu has been discovered. This was reported by local media on Saturday, quoting his manager.
On February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria killed more than 43,000 people in both countries, including Atsu, 31.
Initial reports claimed he had been saved a day after the earthquake, however these turned out to be untrue.
His body was discovered beneath the debris in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, according to his manager in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, who spoke to DHA news agency on Saturday.
“We have reached his lifeless body. His belongings are still being removed. His phone was also found,” Uzunmehmet told DHA.
Midfielder Atsu played for Chelsea for four seasons before moving permanently to Newcastle in 2017. He joined Turkish Super League team Hatayspor in September.
Atsu’s body was discovered by search and rescue personnel at the Ronesans Residence, a high-rise luxury apartment building that collapsed in Antakya city in Hatay.
According to state news agency Anadolu, Turkish authorities detained the building’s contractor last week at the Istanbul airport as he seemed to be traveling to Montenegro.
