Atsu pulled from rubble alive but injured after earthquake in Turkey

Mueez Ajao

– Former Newcastle and Chelsea star Christian Atsu has finally been rescued from a destroyed building following an earthquake in Turkey.

– Atsu, who was reportedly missing alongside Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut, is injured but is now out of the building, the club’s vice president Mustafa Özat has confirmed.

– Speaking to Radyo Gol, Ozat said: ‘Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble.’

Also Read: Atsu reportedly among those trapped after earthquake hit Turkey

– He added: ‘Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.’

– On Tuesday morning Atsu’s team-mate Kerim Alici, a close friend, also confirmed on Turkish TV that the player had been rescued alive.

– More than 4,100 people have been killed and thousands more injured after the catastrophic earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria overnight, flattening neighbourhoods while families were asleep.

– Footage shared on social media by Ajansspor showed a rescue team in the village of Ekinci in the Adıyaman District.

İnönü Bulvarı Ekinci Mahallesi No: 62 Rönesans Rezidans
Çok sayıda insanın sesinin geldiği, Hentbol oyuncusu Cemal Kütahyalı, Hatayspor Sportif Direktörü Taner Savut ve futbolcu Cristian Atsu'nun da olduğu sitede ekipler otoparka girmeye çalışıyor. pic.twitter.com/rymcNGlxan
— Ajansspor (@ajansspor) February 6, 2023

– It is claimed in the video that voices of Atsu and sporting director Savut can be heard.

– Turkish newspaper Hurriyet has detailed that there is an anxious wait to rescue Savut, the sporting director, with rescue teams navigating the rubble.

– Burak Öksüz, Kerem Alici and Onur Ergün, as well as team officials Ekrem Ekşioğlu and Osman Ateş, were rescued from the rubble on the first day, it was reported.

– Atsu was part of the Newcastle team which won promotion back to the Premier League in 2017 after joining on loan for the season from Chelsea, and later completed a permanent move.

– A post on Newcastle’s official Twitter account said: ‘Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20.’