Christian Atsu, victim of the earthquake in Turkey, died at the age of 31. SCOTT HEPPELL / REUTERS
The former Chelsea player was found dead, victim of the terrible earthquake that hit Turkey on February 6th.
Twelve days after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria that killed more than 41,000 people, the body of Christian Atsu was found lifeless under the rubble. The agent of the international footballer with the Ghanaian selection revealed the information to the Turkish agency DHA. “Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble. We take our things out again. His phone was also found,” said his agent Murat Uzunmehmet.
Found under the rubble of his 12-story residence
According to Turkish media, the 31-year-old former Chelsea and Newcastle in England player was under the rubble of the Rönesans residence, a 12-storey tower that collapsed in the earthquake.
The Ghanaian Embassy in Turkey and the Ghana Football Federation initially claimed that the striker had been found alive, but this information was later proven to be false.
The developer of the luxury residence turned into a ruin, where 800 people are believed to be buried, was arrested last week as he tried to leave Turkey.
Atsu had joined Turkish club Hatayspor in September, based in the province of Hatay (south), near the epicenter of the violent earthquake which struck Turkey on February 6.
The earthquake, followed by powerful aftershocks, killed more than 40,000 people in Turkey and Syria, according to the latest official reports released on Friday, also leaving thousands injured and homeless in the freezing cold.
Read alsoTurkey: a survivor found 278 hours after the earthquake
The Hatayaspor club wanted to pay tribute to its rookie, indicating that the body “was on its way to reach its hometown.” Chelsea, where Atsu also evolved, also expressed his sadness with a message on social networks.