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Christian Atsu (in January 2020)
Photo:
SCOTT HEPPELL / REUTERS
After the earthquake disaster in the Turkish-Syrian border region, missing professional footballer Christian Atsu has apparently been found alive.
This is reported by the Portuguese sports newspaper »A Bola«.
The 31-year-old Turkish club Hatayspor player is in hospital with an injury to his right foot and breathing difficulties, the report said.
A sports journalist, Saddick Adams, also tweeted that a teammate had informed Atsu's management that Atsu had been taken to the hospital.
According to Adams, at the time of the quake Atsu was on the 9th floor of a building, which then collapsed.
A confirmation from the club is still pending.
Atsu's former club Chelsea previously tweeted: "We pray for you Christian Atsu".
His current employer Hatayspor comes from the city of Antakya on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Only a few hours before the earthquake, Atsu had scored the goal in the Süper Lig basement duel against Kasimpasa to make it 1-0.
In addition to Chelsea FC and Porto FC, Atsu also played for Everton FC, Newcastle United and Malaga FC.
The Ghanaian striker became champion and Portuguese Super Cup winner with Porto.
After one of the worst earthquake disasters in recent decades, several thousand people died in southern Turkey and northern Syria.
The number of victims was given as more than 3,600 on Monday evening.
However, the actual extent was initially not foreseeable, as hundreds of people were probably still buried.
According to previous information, more than 15,000 people in Turkey and Syria were injured.
Relatives and rescue workers searched for victims until late at night.
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay announced late Monday evening that 7,840 people had already been rescued.
aar/dpa