More than 1,600 people have been killed and thousands more injured after the catastrophic earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria overnight, flattening neighbourhoods while families were asleep.As reported by multiple outlets in Turkey, a search and rescue operation is underway for many and among them is Ghanaian international Christian Atsu, who joined Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor last summer.Former Chelsea and Newcastle winger is reportedly ‘stuck trapped under rubble of a destroyed building’ following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey.Atsu was in action on Sunday for Hatayspor, scoring a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time in a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa. The earthquake hit hard in Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor are based.##NAJAVA_MECA_6996574##There are those who were initially labeled as missing but came out either on social media or by calling their loved ones to report their own well-being. Hatayspor player Onur Ergun, posted an Instagram story that reports that he is missing were incorrect. ‘Thank you very much to everyone who called and asked,’ the midfielder said. ‘The news is not true. I’m fine.’I can’t answer the phone because there is a network problem. Get well soon to all of us.’Unfortunately, there have also been those who did not find their way out of the catastrophe. Malatyaspor goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan was sadly found under the rubble of the earthquake.”I gave the team two days off after the game. Many players were not in Malatya. Only our second goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, was there. They saved his wife… I am devastated.” Türkaslan’s coach, Yılmaz Vural said.Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20. 🙏🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/HQT6yZOmRB— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 6, 2023 The 31-year-old Atsu joined Chelsea in 2013 but never played a competitive minute for the club as he was sent out on loan for a number of seasons including to Everton and Newcastle.Though he made just five appearances at Everton, he impressed enough on loan at Newcastle to make a permanent move to the Magpies.In total he made 107 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals, before joining Saudi side Al-Raed in 2021.Newcastle have posted on social media, with a photo of Atsu when he was at the club, saying they were ‘praying for some good news’.
