Nine days after the earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and neighboring Syria, Christian Atsu is still unaccounted for.
Atsu, a former winger for Bournemouth and Newcastle United, currently plays for Hatayspor in Turkey. He has been missing since last week. A massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale that struck south-eastern Turkey, close to the Syrian border, early last week is believed to have killed more than 35,000 people and injured thousands more.
Atsu, 31, is still missing despite claims made last week that he had been rescued from the wreckage and transported to a hospital. Nana Sechere, a close friend and his agent, stated to The Athletic: “It has been nine days since the earthquake and we still have not located Christian.
“I am at the quake site in Hatay with Christian’s family. The scenes are unimaginable and our hearts are broken for all the people affected.
“During my time here we have been able to locate Christian Atsu’s exact room location, and we have found two pairs of his shoes.”
Speaking further, he said, “Yesterday, we received confirmation that thermal imagery was showing signs of up to five lives.
“However, I am told that the only real confirmation of life is through sight, smell and sound, and unfortunately we were not able locate Christian.”
“This is a difficult situation and we are extremely grateful to all the Turkish and foreign rescue teams, local civilians and volunteers for their efforts and response in rescuing survivors.
“However, we urgently need more resources, including a translator, on the ground. Things are moving incredibly slow and as a result of that many rescues are being delayed, and lives are being lost due to the lack of resources available to the workers.”
