Former Premier League star Christian Atsu was confirmed dead on Saturday after his body was located within the rubble of his apartment building following the devastating earthquake in Turkey
Christian Atsu cancelled plans to leave Turkey at the last minute mere hours before being caught up in the devastating earthquake that ultimately killed him.
The former Premier League star was confirmed dead on Saturday morning, 12 days after the disaster which claimed the lives of over 30,000 people in Turkey and parts of northern Syria.
The heartbreaking news has since been compounded by reports that Atsu was due to fly to France to visit his family the night before the magnitude 7.8 quake hit, but changed his mind after scoring the winning goal in his Hatayspor side’s Super Lig victory over Kasimpasa.
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Hatayspor Administrative Manager Fatih Ilek told Turkish outlet Radyospor: “Christian Atsu scored a last-minute goal in the Kasımpasa match. Actually, he was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he cancelled his ticket.
“The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11pm. Cancelled the ticket. There was an earthquake at 4am. Absolutely a tragedy.”
The 31-year-old’s passing was confirmed by his agent Nana Sechere, who wrote on Twitter: “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.
