Reports: Christian Atsu and Team Director Taner Savut Missing After Earthquake
According to reports, members of the team have been rescued, but Christian Atsu and team director Taner Savut have yet to be located. They are feared to be trapped under the rubble.
Former Chelsea and Newcastle United Player Trapped in Deadly Turkey Earthquake
Christian Atsu, the former Chelsea and Newcastle United player, is reported to be among those trapped after the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday. The disaster, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, has reportedly claimed over 1,000 lives, with a search and rescue operation underway.
Atsu joined the Super Lig club Hatayspor last summer and has made 65 appearances for Ghana. Several members of his team have been rescued, but Atsu and the team's sporting director, Taner Savut, remain missing and feared to be trapped under the rubble.
Atsu's career has taken him from Stamford Bridge to loan spells at Everton and Bournemouth, a permanent move to Newcastle United, a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Raed, and finally to Turkey with Hatayspor. He had just scored a late winner in a Super Lig match against Kasımpaşa hours before the earthquake hit the country.
The earthquake has not only affected Hatayspor but also many other footballers and sportspeople. The spouse of Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel shared a heart-wrenching message on social media, saying "Hatay is in a very bad way."
Yeni Malatyaspor Goalkeeper Eyup Turkaslan Trapped After Earthquake.
Eyup Turkaslan, a goalkeeper who plays for Yeni Malatyaspor in Turkey, is reported to be among those trapped after the earthquake. The club shared his photo on social media and expressed their support with the message, "Our prayers are with you."
Further Impact of the Earthquake in Turkey
Reports have emerged of Marasspor players who were staying in a hotel that was destroyed by the earthquake. The fate of a men's volleyball team and a girls' under-14 volleyball team is also uncertain, with some members being rescued from the wreckage.
There are also fears that several wrestlers may be trapped, including Taha Akgul, a Turkish wrestler and Olympic champion who won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. He took to social media to call for help, claiming that around 30-40 athletes have been affected.
The situation in Turkey remains dire as the country was hit by a second strong quake while rescue efforts were underway. This second quake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale and was followed by a third jolt of 6.0 magnitude.
