Former Chelsea striker Atsu rescued after Turkey earthquake

WASHINGTON — Former Chelsea and Newcastle striker Christian Atsu has been rescued from the rubble of a building that collapsed after the devastating earthquake in Turkey, the Ghana Football Association said in a tweet Tuesday.

The Ghana national team player plays for the Turkish club Hatayspor. A spokesman for the club on Monday told Turkish media that Atsu was believed to be in a building that was destroyed by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks that hit southeast Turkey and neighboring Syria and killed more than 5,000 people.

Atsu’s whereabouts and condition were not confirmed overnight until the Ghana FA issued a report. update tweeting on his official website on Tuesday, “We have received positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued.”

Atsu was treated, but GFA did not give details of any injuries.

Good News, former club Atsu Newcastle. said on Twitter following the update. “Our thoughts remain with Christian, his loved ones and all those affected by Monday’s devastating earthquakes.”

Atsu, 31, joined Hatayspor, based in the southern city of Antakya, last year.

The earthquake hit early Monday morning and hit Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaras. It felt as far away as Cairo in Egypt. Numerous aftershocks caused further destruction.

More than 6,000 buildings have collapsed in Turkey alone, and rescuers are rushing to find survivors in freezing temperatures. Officials say up to 1,500 buildings were destroyed in Hatay province, southwest of the epicenter of the quake, where the Hatayspor club is based.

TEGNA contributed to this report.