Christian Atsu’s body was being airlifted back to Ghana from Turkey on Sunday, the day after it was retrieved from the ruins of the region’s huge earthquake.
“The Government of Ghana is making preparations to receive the mortal remains of the late Christian Atsu, a former Black Stars player,” Ghana’s foreign ministry stated in a statement released Sunday morning.
“The remains will be flown to Accra by Turkish Airlines, accompanied by his family and Ghana’s Ambassador to Turkey.”
After a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early on February 6, the 31-year-old married father of three went missing.
Atsu played for Hatayspor, a soccer team based in Turkey’s Hatay province, which was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
The soccer player was scheduled to leave southern Turkey just hours before the earthquake, but he elected to stay after helping his side win in the final minute of a Super Lig match on February 5.
Hatayspor announced shortly after the earthquake that the athlete had been “pulled out alive” from the wreckage beneath his building. Yet, it was revealed a day later that the player was still missing.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was discovered under the rubble,” stated the ex-Chelsea winger’s Turkish agent, Murat Uzunmehmet, on Saturday.
According to the Turkish ministry, Atsu’s brother and sister were present when his body was retrieved.
By Saturday, the dead toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria had surpassed 46,000, as rescue crews stopped searching and government focused on assisting the region in its recovery.
Atsu joined Chelsea in 2013 before moving on to Everton and Bournemouth in the Premier League. He represented Ghana in the 2014 World Cup and won the African Cup of Nations best player award in 2015.
He joined Newcastle in 2016 and played a key role in the club’s promotion from the EFL Championship to the Premier League.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Christian Atsu was tragically killed in Turkey’s devastating earthquakes,” Newcastle said in a tweet on Saturday.
“He will be remembered fondly by our players, staff, and supporters as a talented player and a special person.”
Everton, too, expressed “deep sadness” at the news.
“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, colleagues at @Hatayspor FK, and everyone affected by this tragic event,” the club said.
“Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu,” Chelsea said in a tweet.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Atsu is survived by his wife of ten years, Marie-Claire Rupio, and three children.
»Body of former World Cup star Christian Atsu flown to Ghana from Turkey«
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