Christian Atsu has been found alive in a rubble folowing Turkey earthquake. Ghanian international plays for Hatayspor in Turkish League.

International football player Christian Atsu has been found alive following Monday’s earthquake in southern Turkey, Ghana Football Association said on Tuesday.

A statement by Ghana FA stated:

“We’ve received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment. Let’s continue to pray for Christian,”  

Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey Francisca Ashietey-Odunton told an Accra-based radio station that Atsu had been found.

Atsu was not immediately accounted for in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Atsu’s former club Everton said on twitter : 

“We are relieved to hear Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued and is recovering in hospital. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.”

More  than 5,000 deaths have been confirmed in Turkey and Syria with over 21,000 people injured following earthquakes that rocked the region on Monday.

In Turkey, casualties were reported in ten provinces, including Hatay, which is home to Atsu’s football team Hatayspor.

Atsu, 31, joined the Turkish team in the summer and scorer his first goal for the club on Sunday,a day before the earthquake.

He had previously represented top English clubs such as Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth, and Newcastle.