Ghanaian soccer star Christian Atsu among those killed in Turkey earthquake
Ghanaian soccer star Christian Atsu has been found dead in the rubble after the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, his agent said Saturday.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well-wishers that sadly Christian Atsu's body was recovered this morning," Nana Sechere, Atsu's Turkish agent, wrote on Twitter. "My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support."
Atsu, 31, had been missing since the earthquake on Feb. 6, after his building in the Hatay province of Turkey collapsed. His death was first reported by rescue worker Murat Uzunmehmet, who told local reporters that "Atsu's lifeless body was found under the rubble," per ESPN.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Born in Ada Foah, Ghana, Atsu began his professional career with the Portuguese club FC Porto before being loaned to a variety of Premier League clubs in the U.K. He signed a one-year contract to play with Turkish club Hatayspor in September 2022. The region where Atsu lived — and where Hatayspor plays — was one of the hardest hit areas from the earthquake.
"We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person," Hatayspor tweeted, adding that there were "no words to describe our sadness."
Atsu also played international soccer for Ghana, and started for his national club during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He additionally played in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Atsu was a well-known star of the Hatayspor club, and The Guardian reported that he had scored his team's winning goal in a game just one day before the earthquake.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Carolina ends perfect season with NCAA title
Speed Read The women's basketball team won a victory over superstar Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Iowa's Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record
speed read College basketball star Caitlin Clark set the new record in Iowa's defeat of Ohio State
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Eight-year-old Brit Bodhana Sivanandan makes chess history
Speed Read Sivanandan has been described as a 'phenomenon' by chess masters
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Watch Simone Biles win her record 8th US gymnastics championship
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Spain beats England 1-0 to win its first Women's World Cup
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
US knocked out of Women's World Cup in stunning exit
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Katie Ledecky surpasses Michael Phelps for most world championship titles
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published