Newcastle United issue heartbreaking statement after football star trapped in Turkey earthquake

Newcastle United issue heartbreaking statement after football star trapped in Turkey earthquake
Dan Falvey

By Dan Falvey


Published: 06/02/2023

- 14:04

Updated: 06/02/2023

- 15:53

Over a thousands people have died since the natural phenomenon rocked Turkey

Newcastle United have said they are "praying for some positive news" as they await an update about one of their former players caught up in the Turkey earthquake.

Christian Atsu, who made 107 appearances for the Premier League club, is reported to be trapped under rubble following the 7.8 magnitude quake.


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Over a thousands people have died since the natural phenomenon rocked the country in the early hours of this morning.

People search through rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar
People search through rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar
SERTAC KAYAR

Newcastle United said on social media: "Praying for some positive news, Christian Atsu."

The Ghanaian international played for Newcastle between 2016 and 2021 and is now contracted to the Turkish side of Hatayspor.

He scored a 97th minute winner for his side against Kasimpasa on Sunday, just hours before the natural disaster occurred at 4am on Monday morning.

Local media is reporting the club's Sporting Director, Taner Savut, and Atsu are both stuck under collapsed buildings.

Search and rescue teams are currently looking to locate the two men.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 45 countries had offered to help the search and rescue efforts for the thousands of people caught in the quake.

Erdogan said 5,383 had been injured but he could not predict how much the death toll would rise as search and rescue efforts continued.

People search through rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar
People search through rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar
SERTAC KAYAR

He added that 2,818 buildings had collapsed.

Atsu first played for Newcastle while on loan from Chelsea in 2016-17, playing an important role in the club's promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.

The winger signed for the club full time as a result, playing for the club over a further four seasons before being sold.

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