Ghana soccer player Christian Atsu has been found dead under the building where he lived in Turkey after last week’s massive earthquake, his agent said.
Atsu was 31 and had been missing since Feb. 6 when a powerful earthquake struck the region and followed erroneous reports that he had been rescued.
Hours before the earthquake, Atsu scored the winning goal for his club Hatayspor in a game against Kasimpaşa S.K.
The earthquake has killed over 43,000 people and left thousands more injured.
‘Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,’ Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay. ‘Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.’
‘The funeral of our football player Christian Atsu, who lost his life under the collapse, is on his way to be sent to his hometown Ghana,’ his team Hatayspor said on social media.’We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person. There are no words to describe our sadness. Rest in peace.
Atsu was part of Ghana’s World Cup squad in 2014 and previously played in England, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia before signing with Hatayspor in September.