CNN
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The physique of Ghana soccer star Christian Atsu was discovered beneath rubble on Saturday, in keeping with his agent, nearly two weeks after the earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I’ve to announce to all properly wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s physique was recovered this morning,” Atsu’s agent Nana Sechere tweeted. “My deepest condolences go to his household and family members.”
The physique of the Hatayspor participant was recovered from beneath the rubble of a destroyed constructing in Antakya, Turkey’s state information channel TRT Haber reported on Saturday.
His physique will likely be despatched to Ghana, in keeping with a press release by his membership Hatayaspor on Twitter. “Peace be upon you, lovely individual. There are not any phrases to explain our unhappiness,” the assertion added.
Atsu went lacking after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing a minimum of 45,513 individuals, with a minimum of 39,672 dying in Turkey, in keeping with the most recent quantity given by Turkish Inside Minister Suleyman Soylu.
Within the fast aftermath, there was confusion as reviews from Turkey initially mentioned that Atsu had been situated and was in a hospital, however on February 8, Sechere tweeted that it had come to mild, opposite to reviews, that Atsu was nonetheless lacking.
Earlier than becoming a member of Hatayspor final yr, Atsu had performed within the Saudi Professional League for Al Raed FC. He had additionally represented a number of English golf equipment, together with Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle.
Newcastle United, for whom Atsu performed from 2016 to 2021, making 121 appearances and serving to the membership acquire promotion to the English Premier League, tweeted: “We’re profoundly saddened to be taught that Christian Atsu has tragically misplaced his life in Turkey’s devastating earthquakes.
“A gifted participant and a particular individual, he’ll at all times be fondly remembered by our gamers, workers and supporters. Relaxation in peace, Christian.”
Everton mentioned on Twitter that it was “deeply saddened, ” whereas Chelsea mentioned in a assertion that the membership “sends our heartfelt condolences to Christian’s household and buddies.”
Atsu represented his nation 65 occasions, serving to the Black Stars attain the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations last. Although Ghana misplaced that match to the Ivory Coast on penalties, Atsu was named participant of the event.
Ghana’s Soccer Affiliation despatched its “deepest condolences” to Atsu’s spouse and youngsters.
