Former Newcastle United attacker Christian Atsu is said to have been found alive after being pulled from building rubble in Turkey. The 31-year-old was reported missing after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of Monday.
A second quake struck hours later, with the death toll well into thousands and continuing to rise with each passing hour. Rescue operations were under way across each of the affected countries, with international aid teams deployed. The first quake could be felt in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel.
Atsu and a number of his Hatayspor team-mates and staff were unaccounted for when their building collapsed in Antakya. Thankfully the former Magpies star was pulled from the rubble and is recovering in hospital.
Confirmation came via Hatayspor vice president Mustafa Ozat, who revealed Atsu has been taken to be treated for his injuries. “Christian Atsu was removed injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble," he told Radyo Gol.. "We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours."
READ MORE: Newcastle United 'praying' for Christian Atsu after earthquake as Sunderland offer their respects
Atsu's team-mates Bertug Yıldırım and Burak Oksuz are also said to have been pulled out of the rubble. Club officials Ekrem Ekşioğlu, Osman Ateş and Kerim Alici were also saved. Alici took to Instagram late on Monday evening to plead for help in the rescue effort.
Newcastle responded to the news of Atsu's situation on Monday afternoon by tweeting: "Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20." Sunderland also posted a message on social media with both praying and heart emojis.
The earthquake hit Turkey less than 24 hours after Atsu netted a 97th-minute free-kick to give Hatayspor a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa. The winger was mobbed by his team-mates after the strike, which moved the club up to 14th in the Turkish top flight.
After the game, Atsu tweeted: "Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet." The 31-year-old featured 75 times for Newcastle over a four-year period and also featured for Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League.
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