Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor has been able to have a moment of pause despite the rampant devastation in the nation’s southeast region in the wake of a massive 7.7 earthquake that shook the country as well as other parts of the Levant and the Middle East.
With a currently estimated death toll of over 2,500 and thousands more injured, Güneyin Yıldızı winger Christian Atsu has been found alive among the rubble and taken to hospital in the aftermath of growing concerns that he may not have survived after being trapped under rubble.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, who reportedly has credible sources with the club per The Mirror’s Colin Millar, Atsu has sustained an injury to his right foot as well as breathing difficulties but is expected to recover.
Atsu was a new arrival at the club this season after previous spells with Saudi Arabian side Al-Raed, Newcastle United, Málaga, Bournemouth, Everton, Vitesse Arnhem, Chelsea, Rio Ave, and FC Porto, and had scored the winner just last night on Sunday in the 90th-minute against Kasimpasa.
Also found alive were footballers Onur Ergun and Burak Oksuz, while another player – Kerim Alici – escaped from under the rubble by his own power. Rúben Ribeiro and Zé Luís are also reportedly safe, but the distressful news that Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut, as well as a club translater, are still missing with recovery teams having yet to make contact with either of them.
Earlier today the body of Malatyaspor keeper Ahmet Eyüp was recovered under rubble and is among one of the many casualties that may continue to rise in the coming days. 101 Great Goals extends its sincerest condolences to everyone that has been affected by this horrific tragedy.
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