Former Chelsea and Newcastle star Christian Atsu was killed in the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6. According to Mirror UK, his flight was scheduled to leave Turkey just hours before the disaster struck. The night before the quake, Atsu had played for Hatayspor in a Turkish Super Lig match against Kasımpaşa, scoring a 98th‑minute winner. The dramatic goal prompted him to cancel his 11 p.m. flight and remain in Turkey.
It was confirmed on Saturday morning that Atsu died in the earthquake, which has claimed more than 45,000 lives and injured thousands more. Millions of people in southern Turkey and northern Syria have been left without water, electricity and heating. Atsu, who spent much of his career in the Premier League, had been planning to visit his family but postponed his journey after his decisive goal.
Hatayspor’s administrative manager Faith Ilek recounted the tragic turn of events in a recent interview. “He didn’t play against Gaziantep FK, but scored a last‑minute goal in the Kasımpaşa match,” Ilek told Turkish outlet Radyospor before Atsu’s death was confirmed. “Actually, he was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he cancelled his ticket. The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11 p.m.; he cancelled the ticket. The earthquake struck at 4 a.m. Absolutely a tragedy.”
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