The remains of former Ghana international footballer Christian Atsu who died in a devastating earthquake in Turkey were being flown home on Sunday, the country’s foreign ministry said. Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 44,000 people in both countries. There were initial reports the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false and his body was found on Saturday.Christian Atsu paid the fines of 53 poor people, who were in prison for petty crimes in Ghana in 2018.He also gave them money to start a business.He upgraded the football pitch in Awutu Prison Camp.He donated to schools and hundreds of items to an orphanage in Senya Berekum pic.twitter.com/8Cl17jEW6t— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) February 18, 2023 “The remains will be accompanied by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey on a Turkish airlines flight and will arrive in Accra at 7:40 p.m. Sunday,” the foreign ministry said.Liverpool and Newcastle paid tribute to 🇬🇭Christian Atsu but it’s the shot of his wife and kids that will break you💔💔😢😢pic.twitter.com/SGxNhWsV7L— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) February 18, 2023 On Saturday, the ministry said that Atsu’s older brother and twin sister were present at the site of the rescue when his body was recovered. His widow Marie-Claire Rupio and their three children were in the stands at St James’ Park on Saturday to join in a tribute to the player before Newcastle’s Premier League match against Liverpool. Atsu scored the last of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey’s Super Lig on February 5, hours before the quake struck.Former Ghana international Christian Atsu found dead in Turkey quake rubble”There are no words to describe our sadness. We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person” tweeted his Turkish top-flight club in homage to him. He previously played for his national team the Black Stars and Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said “football has lost one of its finest ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace”.© Agence France-Presse##NAJAVA_MECA_7031471##
