Football: Ex-Chelsea winger Atsu's body found under rubble in Turkey quake, says agent
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The late Christian Atsu during his stint with Newcastle United before their FA Cup match against Oxford United in January 2020.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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ANKARA – Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu has been found dead under the building where he lived in southern Turkey after last week’s massive earthquake, the former Chelsea winger’s Turkish agent said.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay, where the player’s body was found.
“Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”
Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria
There were initial reports he had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false.
Midfielder Atsu spent four seasons at Chelsea before a permanent transfer to Newcastle United in 2017. He signed in September for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor.
Search and rescue workers found Atsu’s body where he was staying at Ronesans Residence, a block of high-rise luxury flats that toppled over in Antakya city in Hatay.
Turkish police arrested the building’s contractor at Istanbul airport last week as he appeared to be heading to Montenegro, according to state news agency Anadolu.
Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the quake, but Hatayspor’s manager said on Friday the Ghanaian opted to stay with the club after scoring the game-winning goal in a Feb 5 Super Lig match. AFP, REUTERS
