Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on Monday killed more than 2,300 people, according to a provisional report, as well as thousands of injured and missing. Among the latter is the Ghanaian international footballer Christian Atsu. The former winger for Porto, Chelsea and Newcastle, among others, has been playing since last summer at Hatayspor, a club in the city of Antakya, in southern Turkey, very affected by the disaster.
According to the Turkish press, his team-mate Onür Ergun as well as Taner Savut, the sporting director of Hatayspor, are also wanted under the rubble. On Instagram, the team’s coach and former Turkish international goalkeeper Volkan Demirel appealed for help for this disaster area.
Savior of his club the night before
On Sunday, Atsu (31), voted best player of the 2015 African Cup of Nations, scored Hatayspor’s winning goal against Kasimpasahis first with his new club, at the end of stoppage time in this Süper Lig match, the Turkish L1.
At least one other footballer has died: Eyup Türkaslan, goalkeeper of Yeni Malatyaspor (Turkish L2), club from the city of Malatya.