Christian Atsu has been pulled out alive from under the rubble. The former Chelsea player went missing on Monday after Turkey and Syria were hit by a severe earthquake.
On Monday morning, Turkey was hit by an earthquake that has killed more than a thousand people. According to reports in Turkey, three Hatayspor players have already been removed from under the rubble with attacker Bertug Yildirim and defenders Kerim Alici and Burak Öksüz, they are doing well given the circumstances. Technical director Taner Savur, would still be under the rubble. The search for them, and the many other victims, is in full swing.
Atsu had scored for Hatayspor in the league game against Kasimpasa on Sunday evening, but the joy soon gave way to great concern. The Turkish club feared that the Ghanaian striker was covered in debris.
On Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for Hatayspor announced that Atsu has been rescued. He was pulled out from under the rubble, but has some injuries. Unfortunately, our technical director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.’
The Turkish football world has also been hit by the earthquake that has already claimed thousands of victims. On Monday, three other Hatayspor players were already rescued, but Malatyaspor goalkeeper Eyup Türkaslan, for example, is still missing.
At least Atsu is now saved. Vitesse also expressed its condolences on Monday to the 31-year-old Ghanaian, who was rented from Chelsea in the 2013/14 season. The sixty-time international has been playing for Hatayspor since this season.
Football world’s mourning
A minute’s silence will be held on Monday evening before the kick-off of the duels in the Eerste Divisie. This in memory of the victims of the ruthless earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on Sunday night. Later this week, the disaster will also be discussed in the KNVB cup tournament.
The football association responded to the events in a statement. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. At all matches tonight in the Eerste Divisie and this week for the TOTO KNVB Cup, a minute’s silence will be held out of respect for the victims.
