Hatayspor winger Christian Atsu has been rescued from the rubble caused by the earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.
In the early hours of the morning, an earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Southern Turkey and Northern Syria, causing unimaginable damage on a wide-scale level.
As of Tuesday lunchtime, local time, more than 4,800 people had been confirmed to have died, and hundreds more are still believed to be under rubble caused by the collapse of many tall buildings.
Atsu was known to be one of several people associated with Hatayspor who had not been found in the hours after the initial earthquake, which was followed by numerous after-shocks and tremors, one hitting 7.5.
On Monday night, it was claimed that the Ghanaian had been found, suffering with breathing difficulties and with an injury to his right foot, only for that report to be discredited by Hatayspor.
However, vice-president Mustafa Ozat has now confirmed to Radyo Gol that the 31-year-old had been rescued and was now receiving medical attention.
Taner Savut, the club's sporting director remains missing, with Turkish sports presenter Yagiz Sabuncuoglu launching an appeal on social media for a crane to be used to assist with his rescue.
Taner Savut hocanın bulunduğu Rönesans Rezidans'a ACİL VİNÇ LAZIM! Bina yan yatmış durumda. Lütfen! Yok mu oraya vinç gönderecek bir kişi? Zaman daralıyor!
— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) February 7, 2023
He said: "A CRANE IS NEEDED URGENTLY for Ronesans Residence, where Taner Savut is located! The building is on its side. Please! Isn't there someone to send a crane there? Time is running out!"
On Monday, it was reported that Atsu, formerly of Chelsea and Newcastle United, was located on the ninth floor of the building in question before it collapsed in the aftermath of the earthquake.
A day earlier, Atsu had scored a dramatic 97th-minute free kick to earn Hatayspor a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa, a result which moved the club outside of the Super Lig relegation zone.
As it stands, the Turkish football schedule has been brought to a halt, with Monday's three Super Lig fixtures having been quickly postponed.
Darren Plant
