'RIP Atsu' - Reactions as Ghanaian footballer reportedly found dead after missing in Turkey earthquake

Earlier today, reports emerged about the tragic news of  former Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder Christian Atsu.

The Ghanaian forward was reportedly found dead after he was trapped under wreckage caused by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey in the early hours of Monday, February 6.

The heartbreaking news was revealed by his agent, Nana Sechere on the morning of Saturday, February 18.

Via a tweet posted on Saturday, the agent wrote: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support'

The 31-year-old Ghanaian who currently plays with Turkish club Hatayspor, was at home when the earthquake struck, and rescue efforts were since underway to get him out from under the rubble. 

Atsu was one of the many people believed to be trapped in the aftermath of the earthquake as is Hatayspor’s sporting director Taner Savut, who helped bring Atsu to the club in the summer. 

According to reports, Atsu was not the only Hatayspor player caught in the earthquake, but he was the only yet to be found as his other team members had been accounted for, including some who were rescued from their own houses. 

Following the tragic news of his passing away, fans have taken to social media to react.

Here’s what’s buzzin below:

A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake unleashed devastation in southern Turkey on Monday, February 6, 2023. 

The quake and its aftershocks toppled buildings and sparked fires with over 2,300 people reported to have died.

The earthquake, which was also felt in Lebanon and Israel, has killed more than 2,300 people, Turkish and Syrian officials said, and left thousands more injured, according to the Associated Press. 

 According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was in southern Turkey, 20 miles away from the city of Gaziantep. 

The earthquake was followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock 11 minutes later and more than a dozen aftershocks have been recorded since then.