Former Chelsea and Newcastle winger Christian Atsu who currently plays for Hatayspor of Turkey was found alive in rubbles after hours of intensified searching in the rubble.
According to Hatayspor’s manager Mustafa Ozat, Atsu has been found but the club’s sporting director is still trapped under the collapsed buildings according to BBC.
“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries. Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.
“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours,” said Ozat.
It has been reported that the earthquake has claimed more than 4800 lives and the number could even go higher as the authorities continue to search for bodies trapped under the rubble.
Other footballers affected by the earthquake include Burak Oksuz and Onur Ergun who were rescued after the incident while Ruben Ribeiro and Ze Luis have been reported safe by the club. Kerim Alici freed himself from the ruins.
Atsu ditched Al-Raed in 2022 to join Hatayspor where he had only made three appearances and scored once prior to the earthquake.
The former Chelsea winger made 65 international appearances for Ghana where he scored nine goals between 2012 to 2019.