On Tuesday morning, reports emerged that former Black Stars and Newcastle United star Christian Atsu had been found alive after being trapped in the rubble caused by a powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.
As newsof his rescue spread, many in Ghana let out a collective sigh of relief, thankful that Atsu had been saved from almost certain peril. Since the earthquake, people all over the world have prayed for Atsu’s safety and offered support to thosedisplaced by the disaster.
With Atsu’s rescue, the global community can take comfort that some good has come from this tragic event.
Not long after, there was agitation on social media after authorities noted that they are unable to determine the health facility the player has been admitted to.
Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey, H.E. Francisca Ashietey-Odunton confirmed that information privy to her does confirm that the 31-year-old had been rescued but there were challenges with locating the said facility he was receiving medical attention.
But according to Hatayspor team doctor Gurbey Kahveci, the club can not confirm if Christian Atsu was rescued due to the recent challenge.
“When we heard the news that “he was taken to Dortyol Hospital”, we especially went and looked, but it was not there. At the moment, we accept that [the sporting director] Taner Savut and Christian Atsu were not found, unfortunate,” he said.
Currently, it is unclear the current health status of Christian Atsu.