Christian Atsu’s body found following earthquakes in southern Turkey
Former Black Stars player Christian Atsu’s body has been found following the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria and is being flown home to Ghana.
The former Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle player’s body was found on Saturday and his brother and sister were present when his body was recovered.
Ghana’s foreign ministry said in a statement released on Sunday morning: ‘The Government of Ghana is making arrangements to receive the mortal remains of the late Christian Atsu, a former Black Stars player. The remains will be accompanied by his family and Ghana’s Ambassador to Turkiye on a Turkish airlines flight and will arrive in Accra at 7:40pm, Sunday 19th February, 2023.’
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning,” his agent Nana Sechere tweeted this morning.
“My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.
“I ask that whilst we make the necessary arrangements, that everyone would please respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time.”
The 31 years old’s death confirmed on Saturday (February 18), 12 days after the earthquake hit the region which has already claimed the lives of more than 45,000 people.
Atsu had been playing his football for Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor and had scored a 97th-minute winner in his previous game for the club on Sunday, February 5 – a day before the earthquake struck.
The team is based in the southern city of Antakya, one of the regions most severely hit by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has lead to catastrophic life in both Turkey and Syria.
