Following a significant earthquake in Turkey, the body of former Ghanaian international Christian Atsu was discovered, local media claimed on Saturday, citing his management.
Initial reports that he had been saved a day after the earthquake proved to be untrue.
Christian Atsu was caught up in a 7.8 magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria killing more than 40,000 people in both countries.
His manager in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, told DHA news agency on Saturday that his body had been found under the rubble in the Turkish southern province of Hatay.
“We have reached his lifeless body. His belongings are still being removed. His phone was also found,” Uzunmehmet told DHA.
Midfielder Atsu spent four seasons at Chelsea before a permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2017.
He signed in September for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor.
Search and rescue workers found Atsu’s body where he was staying at Ronesans Residence, a block of high-rise luxury flats that toppled over in Antakya city in Hatay.
Turkish police arrested the building’s contractor at Istanbul airport last week as he appeared to be heading to Montenegro, according to state news agency Anadolu.
