Ghana’s Christian Atsu “still missing” following devastating earthquake in Turkey

Ghana international Christian Atsu’s whereabouts remain unknown following the shocking earthquake that rocked southern Turkey, the footballer’s partner has confirmed.

The Hatayspor player was reported to have been trapped under the rubble with some of his teammates when the building they were in collapsed.

It was earlier reported the former Newcastle player was rescued from a building “with injuries.” But a day later, his agent confirmed his whereabouts are unknown.

While speaking to BBC News in the aftermath of the earthquake, Christian Atsu’s partner Claire Rupio, who lives in Newcastle said: “I still pray, and believe that he is alive.”

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Sadly, over 22,000 people in Turkey and Syria are now confirmed to have died after earthquakes struck both countries.

While speaking to the BBC, a tearful Claire narrated the nightmare ordeal on herself and her children, saying the last time they spoke to the player was on Saturday morning.

“He is still missing, and we don’t know where he is…”

Rupio further stated: “They know where the building is, and they’re trying their best to rescue everybody. They know that there are people still under the rubble, but the problem is that they don’t have the equipment necessary to get them out.

“So he is still missing, and we don’t know where he is.”

Asked about the various contrasting information that has emanated from the country since the earthquake struck, she said: “It was quite shocking, as you can imagine, with the club confirming that he has been found alive and taken to hospital.

“And 11 hours later, my children had to hear it from the radio that they still don’t know where he is. I know that his agent is there and they are trying their best to find him, so I trust that he will bring me the news that if he sees him or speaks to him… but it’s quite confusing, everything.”