Former Chelsea and Newcastle United forward Christian Atsu has been rescued alive after being trapped under rubble following the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey on Monday. The 7.8‑magnitude quake hit the southern city of Gaziantep, followed by a 7.5‑magnitude aftershock, destroying dozens of buildings and killing more than 4,000 people. Initially reported missing on Monday afternoon, Atsu was later confirmed alive but injured, according to the vice‑president of his Turkish club, Hatayspor.
Atsu, who joined Hatayspor last summer after spells with Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle United, was rescued on Monday night, as confirmed by the club’s vice‑president on Tuesday. The club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was also missing and remains trapped under the debris. The vice‑president said, “Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble. Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”
Team‑mate Kerim Alici corroborated the rescue on Turkish television, stating that Atsu had been saved alive. Footage shared on social media by Ajansspor showed rescuers in the village of Ekinci, Adıyaman District, hearing voices from beneath the collapsed homes of Atsu and Savut. Turkish newspaper *Hurriyet* reported that rescue teams continue to search for Savut amid the rubble.
With more than 4,000 fatalities and thousands injured, rescue operations are ongoing throughout the night. On Monday night, the Nigerian Football Federation confirmed that all Nigerian footballers in Turkey are safe. President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retired) reiterated Nigeria’s willingness to support Turkey and Syria “in any way possible.”
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