President Nana Akufo-Addo is praying for the safe return of Ghana star Christian Atsu who is reportedly trapped in rubble following the massive earthquake that hit Turkey on Monday.
According to the President, “we pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound. 2/2.”
May their souls rest in perfect peace. Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors, and we pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/7GOtpYyKAI
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) February 6, 2023
The 31-year-old Ghana international winger, now playing for Turkish side Hatayspor, is reportedly missing along with the sporting director, Taner Savut, after club players and staff had been rescued from rubble, according to multiple reports in Turkey.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit south-east Turkey and northern Syria during the early hours of Monday morning, followed by a second of 7.5. Approximately 1,700 people are known to have died in the border region.
A post on Newcastle’s Twitter account said: “Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20.” Atsu spent five seasons at Newcastle, first joining on loan in 2016 from Chelsea and helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League.
Hatayspor are based in the city of Antakya in Turkey’s southern Hatay province, close to the border with Syria. Atsu played on Sunday, coming on as a substitute and scoring the winning goal in the home game against Kasimpasa.
Earthquake in Turkey kills over 1,700 people
At least 1,700 people are believed to have died after two earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria.
The confirmed death toll from this morning’s earthquake in Turkey has now risen to 1,014, the head of the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority has said.
The death toll in Syria now stands at 783, according to the AFP news agency, which has been combining figures from authorities in government-held areas with those from rescue group The White Helmets in rebel-held areas.
The figures bring the combined total to at least 1,797.
Information is still emerging about the impact of a second quake that hit Turkey’s Kahramanmaras province just hours after the first struck near the city of Gaziantep, around 80 miles south.
At least 70 people had already been confirmed as killed in Kahramanmaras before the second quake hit. The current death tolls are expected to rise as recovery efforts continue.
