Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu is reportedly ‘trapped under rubble’ following a devastating earthquake that has left over a thousand dead in Turkey and Syria.
The Ghanaian plays for Turkish club Hatayspor, who are based in the region of Kahramanmaras – one of the areas hit hardest by the quake.
Several of Atsu’s team-mates were also caught in the disaster, but have since been rescued and moved to safety.
A search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to find the 31-year-old, as well as Hatayspor’s sporting director Taner Savut who is also believed to be buried under the rubble.
Experts say the death toll could rise to 10,000 after two quakes – the first a 7.8 magnitude and the second a 7.5 magnitude – struck in the early hours of Monday morning.
It’s understood that tremors were felt as far away as Egypt and Cyprus, though fatalities are believed to have only occurred in Turkey and Syria.
Atsu, who is married with two sons and a daughter, netted a 97th-minute winner for his side against Kasimpasa on Sunday, just a few hours before the first earthquake hit, and fans on social media are now praying the winger is found safe and well.
“This is unbelievably heartbreaking. Hope he is rescued safely,” one UK-based supporter tweeted.
“We are praying for good news as soon as possible,” said another. A third wrote: “How the world was happy when he scored a goal yesterday, this is how the world appreciates your loved ones, friends.”
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