Former Newcastle United star still missing over a week after Turkey earthquake

Former Newcastle United footballer Christian Atsu is still missing more than a week after an earthquake hit Turkey, his agent has said.

The 31-year-old winger, who has been with Turkish side Hatayspor since last summer, has “still not been located”, according to Nana Sechere, adding that his exact “room location” was found along with two pairs of his shoes.

Although initial reports said the Ghanian international had been rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building, he is yet to be found.

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The 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 6 February and subsequent aftershocks which struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths, with millions more left homeless.

In an update, Mr Sechere tweeted that he was at the quake site in the Turkish province of Hatay, with the player’s family.

He said: “We still have not located Christian.

“The scenes are unimaginable and our hearts are broken for all the people affected.

“During my time here we have been able to locate Christian Atsu’s exact room location, and we have found two pairs of his shoes.

“Yesterday we received confirmation that thermal imagery was showing signs of up to five lives, however, I am told that the only real confirmation of life is through sight, smell and sound, and unfortunately we were not able to locate Christian.”

Atsu played for Newcastle between 2016 and 2021.

Following the initial news of the quake, Newcastle United said it was “praying for some positive news” about Atsu.

Mr Sechere said “things are moving incredibly slow”, adding: “It is unfortunate that the club is not on the ground with us, side by side, in the search for Christian. Their position and influence, accompanied with their local knowledge would be extremely helpful.”

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He has called upon Hatayspor and Lutfu Savas, the mayor of Hatay, to provide more resources to help the rescue effort.

He added: “This is a difficult situation and we are extremely grateful to all the Turkish and foreign rescue teams, local civilians and volunteers for their efforts and response in rescuing survivors.

“However, we urgently need more resources, including a translator, on the ground. Things are moving incredibly slow and, as a result of that, many rescues are being delayed, and lives are being lost due to the lack of resources available to the workers.”

Atsu’s partner, Claire Rupio, has also called for equipment to be sent to the collapsed building where he was living.

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for survivors of the disaster, with some found almost 200 hours after the quake.

The Premier League said on Friday it will be donating £1m in response to the devastating earthquakes.

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