World Cup star Christian Atsu pulled alive from Turkey quake rubble

February 7, 2023

Former World Cup star Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Turkey.

“Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble,” Mustafa Ozat, vice president of the 31-year-old’s Turkish Super Lig team Hatayspor, told Radyo Gol.

Former World Cup star Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the Turkey earthquake.

People walk past collapsed buildings after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, Turkey on Feb 6. — People walk past collapsed buildings after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, Turkey, on Feb 6.

Smoke was seen rising from burning containers at a port in Iskenderun, Turkey, where the earthquake struck. — Smoke rises from burning containers at a port in Iskenderun, Turkey, where the earthquake struck.

Ozat previously told BeIN Sports on Monday that several players and officials had been rescued from the rubble after the 7.8-magnitude quake, in which the death toll has climbed to about 5,000 across Turkey and Syria.

Here’s the latest coverage on the Turkey-Syria earthquake:

Atsu, who is originally from Ghana, joined Hatayspor in September after playing in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton, on loan from Chelsea.