(ANSA) - ANTIOCH, FEBRUARY 18 - Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, who played for Turkish team Hatayspor in the top flight, was found dead under the rubble of the building where he lived in Antioch, southern Turkey.
This was announced by his agent quoted by the Turkish private agency DHA.
"Atsu's lifeless body was found under the rubble. His personal belongings are still being cleared. His phone was also found," his agent Murat Uzunmehmet said.
According to Turkish media, the 31-year-old former Chelsea and Newcastle player in England was under the rubble of the Rönesans residence, a 12-storey tower which collapsed in the earthquake.
The Ghanaian embassy in Turkey and the Ghana Football Federation initially claimed that the striker had been found alive, but this information was later revealed to be false.
The builder of the ruined luxury residence where 800 people are believed to be buried was arrested last week as he attempted to leave Turkey.
Atsu joined Turkish club Hatayspor last September, based in the province of Antioch, near the epicenter of the massive earthquake that struck Turkey on 6 February.
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