Christian Atsu: Update on Black Stars Footballer Remains Missing Earthquake In Turkey

• Christian Atsu has not been pulled out from under rubble following after the earthquake in Turkey although earlier reports said so
• The Ghana Black Stars player is still among hundreds missing after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that also spread to neighbouring Syria and has claimed over 20,000 lives
• Earlier reports by Turkish media and his agent had indicated that Atsu was pulled out of rubble alive and was expected to make a full recovery

Ghana Black Star winger Christian Atsu remains missing many hours after a devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and surrounding countries.

Previous reports by Turkish media, his agent and his club Hatayspor Sporting said the player was rescued on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

The spokesperson for Hatayspor Sporting where Atsu plays in Turkey Mustafa Özat claimed on Tuesday that the former Chelsea and Newcastle star was removed with some injuries.

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However, the club made a U-turn and confessed that its officials mistook somebody for Atsu. The team said the young player had not been found.

Atsu was with Hatayspor Sporting's director Taner Savut when the disaster struck

"Christian Atsu has been removed injured. Unfortunately our sports director Taner Savut is still under the wreckage. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours," Özat had said.

As of February 10, 2023, an estimated 20,000 people have been reported dead in both countries after the disaster, with the majority of the casualties in Turkey.

Portuguese news outlet A Bola reported that the Black Stars player has been transported to the hospital amid breathing difficulties.

Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu who was among the first to break the news that Atsu was trapped under rubble after the earthquake indicated that there is a lull in information on the popular footballer's condition.

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"We do not have more right now mister. I’ll inform you soon," he responded to Ghanaian sports journalists on Twitter taunting him for more info on Atsu.

[This story was updated on February 10, 2023, to reflect new information that the player remains missing many days after the earthquake.]

Reactions to news about Atsu's recovery

News that Christian Atsu had been found alive after being trapped under rubble for hours triggered many excited reactions online.

Ghanaian politician, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, tweeted his excitement about the news on Tuesday.

"Glory be to God. Christian Atsu rescued alive. We wish him excellent & speedy recovery from his injuries."

The Ghana Football Association also described the news as "positive" in a tweet.

"We've received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment."Let’s continue to pray for Christian.

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@Rhichcomposer feels that for Christian Atsu to make it alive after many hours under the rubble then "God is a Ghanaian".

"Christian Atsu is Alive waaat! Aswear God is a Ghanaian."

Popular actor Joycelyn Dumas also tweeted her excitement about the news.

"Thank God Christian Atsu is alive," she tweeted.

Christian Atsu still missing after Turkey earthquake

YEN.com.gh reported that Christian Atsu has not been found contrary to earlier reports, the players club has disclosed.

The club made the unfortunate disclosure on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, a day after Ghanaians and Atsu's family celebrated the news that he's been pulled alive from a pile of rubble.

The earthquake in Turkey has claimed the lives of at least 7,000 people in both Turkey and Syria.

Source: YEN.com.gh