Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu has been pulled from the rubble of a building in Hatay with injuries, his manager Mustafa Özat has told Turkish radio.
The Hatayspor player, whose career has included 107 appearances for Newcastle as well as spells at Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth, was trapped after the earthquakes that killed at least 4,800 people in Turkey and Syria on 6 February.
Hatay was one of the areas closest to the epicentre of the quake, and has suffered extensive damage. The club’s sporting director Taner Savut remains in the collapsed building,
“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries,” Özat told Turkish radio channel Radyo Gol.
“Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.”
Özat added: “Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”
Yesterday, Portuguese outlet A Bola have reported that Atsu has now been rescued from the rubble and has been transported to hospital after suffering injuries to his right foot and breathing difficulties.
Ghanaian Sports Journalist Saddick Adams also claimed he had been in contact with Atsu’s management team and confirmed the winger was safe.
Adams had earlier tweeted that Atsu “was on the 9th floor of the collapsed building with 9 other players and 2 officials. 3 players and one official have been rescued. Officials of the club are at the site as search continues.
