Christian Atsu ‘remains missing’ in rubble after Turkey earthquake – latest updates

Footballer Christian Atsu is reportedly among those trapped after an earthquake in Turkey.

A 7.8 magnitude tremor struck southern Turkey and northern Syria early on Monday morning, before a subsequent 7.5 magnitude quake. A major rescue operation is underway in the region with more than 1,000 people dead and many more injured or missing.

Reports in Turkey suggest that Atsu, the 31-year-old former Chelsea and Newcastle winger, is among them. The Ghanaian joined Hatayspor last summer, and the club’s sporting director Taner Savut is also thought to be trapped. Istanbul-based journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu tweeted: “Hatayspor Sporting Director Taner Savut and Cristian Atsu were left under the rubble. Search and rescue teams are looking for two names.”

Follow latest updates below as the search operation continues.

Christian Atsu ‘missing under rubble’ - reports

• Former Newcastle, Chelsea and Everton player is ‘under the rubble’, Turkish reports say

• Newcastle ‘praying for positive news’ with former player missing

• Earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.8 magnitude hit southern Turkey and northern Syria

• Atsu’s Hatayspor teammate Burak Oksuz pulled out of rubble

• Nine other players and two club officials also in collapsed building

• Atsu initially reportedly located on Monday night

• Conflicting stories still suggest Atsu has not been found

Where did the Turkish earthquake strike?

11:27 , Michael Jones

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit southeast Turkey, toppling buildings and leaving a trail of disaster in seven Turkish provinces and northern Syria, with tremors felt as far as Cairo.

The 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 4.17am local time on Monday in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, according to the US Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the quake was near the city of Gaziantep at a depth of 17.9km, impacting around seven provinces in Turkey and a large area in northern Syria.

Map of Turkey shows affected areas where massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck

Newcastle welcome news of Atsu’s rescue

11:16 , Michael Jones

Newcastle United have welcomed the news that Christian Atsu was rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building following the earthquakes in Turkey.

Atsu played 107 times for the club between 2016-2021 and they said on Twitter:

“Welcome news. Our thoughts remain with Christian, his loved ones and all those affected by Monday’s devastating earthquakes.”

Christian Atsu pulled from rubble after earthquakes in Turkey

10:47 , Michael Jones

Christian Atsu was pulled from the rubble of a building “with injuries” after the earthquakes in Turkey confirmed his club’s vice-president Mustafa Özat has told Turkish radio.

Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, was trapped after the earthquakes that have killed at least 4,800 people. Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut is still in the collapsed building.

“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries,” Özat told Radyo Gol. “Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.

“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”

Christian Atsu: Who is the charity-focused footballer found in the rubble after Turkey’s earthquake?

10:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There is positive news surrounding former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu, who has been “successfully rescued” from under the rubble of a collapsed building and is now recovering in hospital following an earthquake in southern Turkey.

The football world was anxiously awaiting updates on Monday after the 31-year-old former Ghana international was reported missing. Atsu now plays with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor and the country’s border region was hit by the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down thousands of buildings, killing some 5,000 people, in several Turkish and Syrian cities on Monday.

Atsu was not found after team-mates and members of the club’s technical staff had reportedly been pulled from rubble and his condition and whereabouts were unconfirmed overnight until the Ghanaian Football Association said he had been found alive.

Who is Christian Atsu, the Hatayspor footballer found after the Turkey earthquake?

Everton ‘relieved Atsu is recovering in hospital’

09:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton, one of Christian Atsu’s former clubs, have tweeted that they are “relieved” to have heard that the Ghana winger is recovering in hospital.

Atsu played five Premier League games on loan at the Merseyside club during the 2014/15 season.

Christian Atsu ‘successfully rescued’ from Turkey earthquake rubble

09:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu has been “successfully rescued” from under the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in southern Turkey.

The Ghana Football Association confirmed the news and said the 31-year-old is receiving treatment.

Atsu, who played for Chelsea and Newcastle, was reported missing on Monday after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria.

The former Ghana international, now playing with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, was said to be missing after team-mates and members of the club’s technical staff had reportedly been pulled from rubble.

Christian Atsu ‘successfully rescued’ from Turkey earthquake rubble

Ghana Football Federation confirm Christian Atsu has been ‘successfully rescued'

08:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A significant statement from the Ghana Football Federation - the governing body says that it has received news that Christan Atsu, capped 65 times for his country, has been “successfully rescued” and is receiving medical treatment.

Christian Atsu reportedly found inside rubble

08:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Further reports from Turkey suggest that the extent of Christian Atsu’s injuries are not yet known, but that the Ghanaian footballer has been found after 26 hours trapped under rubble after two major earthquakes struck southern Turkey and northern Syria.

Hatayspor manager provides Christian Atsu update

08:03 , Jack Rathborn

Hatayspor manager Mustafa Özat has been speaking about Christian Atsu and the club’s sporting director Taner Savut.

“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries. Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble,” Özat said according to Joy Sports in Ghana.

“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”

Chelsea send message of support to Christian Atsu

07:49 , Jack Rathborn

Chelsea are among Atsu’s former clubs to send messages of support and solidarity.

Reports: Christian Atsu found inside rubble alive but injured

07:19 , Jack Rathborn

There are hopeful reports coming out of Turkey this morning that Christian Atsu was found inside rubble and is alive.

Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, a journalist for Turkish outlet Vole, is reporting Atsu was pulled from the rubble and also that he has now been taken to hospital.

While Portuguese newspaper A Bola had earlier reported Atsu had been found alive, adding that the Ghanaian was injured and has a right foot problem and breathing difficulties.

Christian Atsu ‘remains missing’ in latest updates

Monday 6 February 2023 23:11 , Karl Matchett

The earlier report from the Guardian has now been updated to reflect Christian Atsu has not yet been found.

One similar report out of Portugal stated Atsu had been taken to hospital with a foot injury and breathing difficulties, but the Guardian’s edited story now says “remain unconfirmed” by Atsu’s club Hatayspor.

Conflicting reports over Christian Atsu status

Monday 6 February 2023 21:51 , Karl Matchett

Christian Atsu was located alive in the rubble and “transported to hospital after suffering injuries to his right foot and breathing difficulties,” reports the Guardian.

There has not yet been a formal announcement from Atsu’s club, Hatayspor, though, and Goal.com report the most recent update coming via Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lutfu Savas, honorary president of Hatayspor, who stated: “The search and rescue efforts for Atsu are unfortunately continuing.”

Christian Atsu located and taken to hospital after earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 21:43 , Karl Matchett

Another update from Saddick Adams - his management team have relayed information that Christian Atsu has been “found and taken to the hospital”.

A statement is expected overnight.

Christian Atsu latest: Hayatspor confirm they are “still trying to reach” winger and sporting director

Monday 6 February 2023 19:15 , Karl Matchett

Ghana-based outlet Joy Sports spoke with journalist Kadir Onur in Istanbul, where Atsu was discussed.

Within the past hour, the update was that there was no direct confirmation of precisely where the winger was and that he, along with Tanur Savut, remained under the rubble.

Separately, Joy Sports report the vice president of Hayatspor, Mustapha Ozat, issuing a statement to say all staff and players had now been accounted for with the exception of Savut and Atsu.

“[They] are still under the rubble. We are still trying to reach them,” Ozat is quoted as saying.

Christian Atsu latest update - more players reported in collapsed building

Monday 6 February 2023 18:40 , Karl Matchett

Journalist Saddick Adams has reported that further players were in the same building which collapsed, along with Christian Atsu.

While there is no direct confirmation they are all from Hatayspor, teammate Burak Oksuz was earlier rescued from the rubble.

Adams reports that as well as Atsu, nine additional players and two club officials were on the ninth floor of the building, with three players and one official so far accounted for from the group.

Ghanaian football federation releases statement with Christian Atsu reportedly missing

Monday 6 February 2023 18:15 , Luke Baker

The Ghanaian Football Association has released this statement with Christian Atsu’s condition unknown after the earthquakes in Turkey.

“We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. We continue with our efforts to establish contact with officials of Hataspor and the Turkish Football Federation, considering the difficult situation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu and our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. We remain hopeful for positive news.”

Death toll climbs to more than 2,300 in Turkey and Syria

Monday 6 February 2023 17:50 , Luke Baker

Search and rescue teams continue to seek survivors amidst the rubble on a tragic day in southern Turkey and northern Syria. The revised death toll is now more than 2,300.

This is the morning ‘doomsday’ came to Turkey and Syria, writes our International Correspondent, the incomaprable Bel Trew.

This is the morning ‘doomsday’ came to Turkey and Syria

Christian Atsu missing after earthquake in Turkey

Monday 6 February 2023 17:20 , Luke Baker

Earlier today, Newcastle United tweeted their hope for some positive news after reports that their former player Christian Atsu is trapped under rubble in Turkey.

Atsu scored three Premier League goals during his time with the club, which was 2017 to 2021

Where did the Turkish earthquake strike?

Monday 6 February 2023 16:51 , Luke Baker

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit southeast Turkey, toppling buildings and leaving a trail of disaster in seven Turkish provinces and northern Syria, with tremors felt as far as Cairo.

The 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 4.17am local time on Monday in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, according to the US Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the quake was near the city of Gaziantep at a depth of 17.9km, impacting around seven provinces in Turkey and a large area in northern Syria.

Map of Turkey shows where massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck

Hatayspor’s Sam Adekugbe confirms he is safe

Monday 6 February 2023 15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We still wait for an update on Christian Atsu, but there is good news on one of the Ghana winger’s Hatayspor teammates.

Posting on Instagram, London-born Canada international Sam Adekugbe appears to have confirmed that he is safe.

Death toll climbs to more than 2,300 in Turkey and Syria

Monday 6 February 2023 14:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Search and rescue teams continue to seek surivors amidst the rubble on a tragic day in southern Turkey and northern Syria. The revised death toll is now more than 2,300.

This is the morning ‘doomsday’ came to Turkey and Syria, writes our International Correspondent Bel Trew.

This is the morning ‘doomsday’ came to Turkey and Syria

Bournemouth ‘hoping for positive news’ with Christian Atsu reportedly missing

Monday 6 February 2023 14:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Christian Atsu was briefly a Bournemouth player in 2015.

Ghanaian football federation releases statement with Christian Atsu reportedly missing

Monday 6 February 2023 14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Ghanaian Football Association has released this statement with Christian Atsu’s condition unknown after the earthquakes in Turkey.

“We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. We continue with our efforts to establish contact with officials of Hataspor and the Turkish Football Federation, considering the difficult situation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu and our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. We remain hopeful for positive news.”

Newcastle await Christian Atsu news amid reports of being trapped in earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Newcastle are anxiously awaiting news of former midfielder Christian Atsu amid reports that he has been trapped in the earthquakes which hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.

The 31-year-old Ghana international, now playing his football with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, was said to be missing after team-mates and members of the club’s technical staff had reportedly been pulled from rubble.

Atsu was part of the Magpies 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.

PA

Newcastle await Christian Atsu news amid reports of being trapped in earthquake

Turkish cycling race cancelled after earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Understandably, the Tour of Antalya - a four-stage cycling race due to be held in the south of Turkey this week - has been cancelled after the tragedy.

Christian Atsu reportedly missing after earthquake in Turkey

Monday 6 February 2023 13:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We still await news on Christian Atsu’s condition as search and rescue teams continue to dig through the rubble left by those two major seismic events.

Christian Atsu reportedly missing after earthquake in Turkey

Monday 6 February 2023 13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

John Mahama, president of Ghana between 2012 and 2017, has tweeted his hopes for positive news regarding Christian Atsu.

Second powerful earthquake rocks Turkey hours after morning devastation

Monday 6 February 2023 13:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here, by the way, is Chris Stevenson’s report on the disaster in Turkey, with a second significant earthquake striking to disrupt rescue efforts after a 7.8-magnitude seismic event.

Second powerful earthquake rocks Turkey hours after morning devastation

Football clubs and players tweet support for those affected by earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 13:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

At least 1,700 people are now reported to have died in this morning’s two major earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

Liverpool are among the clubs to have tweeted support for the region’s people:

Christian Atsu missing after earthquake in Turkey

Monday 6 February 2023 13:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Newcastle have tweeted their hope for some positive news after reports that their former player Christian Atsu is trapped under rubble in Turkey.

Atsu scored three Premier League goals during his time with the club.

Malatyaspor president denies report goalkeeper is dead

Monday 6 February 2023 13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hacı Ahmet Yaman, the new president of Malatyaspor, has refuted reports that Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan is dead, saying that they “do not reflect the truth”.

Where did the Turkish earthquake strike?

Monday 6 February 2023 13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit southeast Turkey, toppling buildings and leaving a trail of disaster in seven Turkish provinces and northern Syria, with tremors felt as far as Cairo.

The 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 4.17am local time on Monday in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, according to the US Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the quake was near the city of Gaziantep at a depth of 17.9km, impacting around seven provinces in Turkey and a large area in northern Syria.

Map of Turkey shows where massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck

Midfielder Ergun safe

Monday 6 February 2023 12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More good news on a Hatayspor player: Onur Ergurn has posted on social media that reports that he is missing were incorrect.

“Thank you very much to everyone who called and asked,” the midfiedler said. “The news is not true. I’m fine.

“I can’t answer the phone because there is a network problem. Get well soon to all of us.”

Malatyaspor goalkeeper also yet to be reached

Monday 6 February 2023 12:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Further inland, there are fears for the safety of Malatyaspor goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, who authorities have yet to been able to reach.

Hatayspor player ‘pulled out of the rubble’ after earthquake in Turkey

Monday 6 February 2023 12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There is good news on two other Hatayspor players: defender Burak Öksüz was pulled out of the rubble earlier on Monday, while Bertug Yildirim has confirmed that he is ok.

“Thank you to everyone who called,” the young striker said. “I’m doing fine.”

Kerim Alici is another reportedly safe and well.

Christian Atsu reportedly missing after Turkey earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 12:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We will bring you more news on Christian Atsu as we get it. Hatayspor are based in Antakya in Turkey’s southernmost province, just a few kilometres from the Syrian border and close to the earthquake’s epicentre near the city of Gaziantep.

Major earthquakes strike Turkey and Syria

Monday 6 February 2023 12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The head of Turkey’s disaster agency has announced an updated death toll of 1,014 after two major seismic events.

Earlier, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said more than 5,000 people were confirmed to have been injured in what is believed to be the country’s worst natural disaster since at least 1939.

This is, of course, a fast moving and tragic situation - my colleague Stuti Mishra has all the latest news on the wider picture:

Second earthquake strikes Turkey after death toll from first crosses 1,500 – live

Christian Atsu reportedly trapped after Turkey earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, a sports presenter and journalist based in Istanbul, adds that the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, is also missing, with search and rescue teams seeking the two men.

Christian Atsu reportedly trapped after Turkey earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 12:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Ghana international, capped 65 times for his country, joined Hatayspor last summer, and scored the winner in the club’s win against Kasimpasa.

Understandably, the details of the situation are relatively unclear - but Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur reports that Atsu is trapped under rubble.

Christian Atsu reportedly trapped after Turkey earthquake

Monday 6 February 2023 12:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Concerning reports in Turkey suggest that Christian Atsu is among the missing after two major earthquakes struck early on Monday morning.

Separate seismic events measuring magnitude-7.8 and magnitude-7.5 were recorded in southern Turkey and northern Syria, with at least 1,400 dead and many more missing or trapped under rubble.

Atsu, the 31-year-old winger formerly of Chelsea, Bournemouth and Newcastle, is reportedly among them.

Christian Atsu - latest news

Monday 6 February 2023 12:22 , Lawrence Ostlere

Footballer Christian Atsu is reportedly among those trapped after an earthquake in Turkey. More to follow...