Ghanaian soccer star Christian Atsu is “under the rubble” following the deadly that earthquake hit Turkey, according to a report.
The former Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton star plays for Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor in the city of Antakya in southern Turkey.
Istanbul-based sports journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu tweeted Monday that Atsu and Hatayspor Sporting Director Taner Savut were “left under the rubble,” adding that “search and rescue teams are looking for two names.”
“We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” tweeted the Ghana Football Association. “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,” the Ghana Football Association wrote.
Related: Turkey quake assistance ‘already underway,’ says U.S.’s Blinken
“Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20,” tweeted his former club Newcastle United.
Soccer star Yannick Bolasie tweeted praying hands in response to Yagiz Sabuncuoglu’s tweet.
On Sunday Atsu tweeted out images from Hatayspor’s victory over Kasimpasa earlier that day, in which he scored the winning goal.
The powerful 7.8 magnitude quake rocked wide swaths of Turkey and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,900 people.
Turkey’s Daily Sabah reports that the runway of Hatay Airport. which serves Antakya, was split in two by the earthquake
Additional reporting by Robert Schroeder.
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