The former Chelsea and Newcastle star Christian Atsu is alive and in hospital after being trapped in the rubble of a destroyed building after Monday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey, according to reports.
The Ghanaian footballer, who plays for Turkish side Hayatspor, is believed to have been among thousands of people left trapped in collapsed buildings after tremors in the southeast of the country.
The 31-year-old was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties and an injury to his right foot after being rescued by the emergency services, reports Portuguese sports site A Bola.
It had earlier been reported that a search and rescue operation was underway to try and find him, with the vice-president of his club telling local media he was still trapped under debris.
More than 3,500 people have been killed and thousands more injured after the catastrophic earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria overnight, flattening neighbourhoods while families were asleep.
Our Prayers still goes to Turkey and Syria.
Credit: Daily Mail UK