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Atsu had been missing since the Feb. 6
earthquake following the collapse of an apartment building in
Hatay. He was 31.
"Atsu's lifeless body was found under the rubble," Murat
Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay. "Currently, more items are
still being taken out. His phone was also found."
Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours
before the quake, but Hatayspor's manager said on Friday the
Ghanaian opted to stay with the club after scoring the winning
goal in a Feb. 5 Super Lig match.
Atsu joined Hatayspor in September last year after spells with
English Premier League clubs Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle
United.
"We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful
person. There are no words to describe our sadness," Hatayspor
said on Twitter.
Newcastle also paid tribute, saying: "A talented player and a
special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our
players, staff and supporters."
Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped them reach the 2015 Africa
Cup of Nations final, where they lost to Ivory Coast on
penalties. He was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019.
He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 and had several loan spells
at clubs including Vitesse and Bournemouth.
"Chelsea sends our heartfelt condolences to Christian's family
and friends and to all those affected by the earthquake
tragedy," the London club said.
More than 45,000 people have been killed in the earthquake that
struck Turkey and Syria, and the toll is expected to rise
further with some 264,000 apartments in Turkey destroyed and
many still missing in the country's worst modern disaster.
(Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Manasi Pathak; Editing by William
Mallard and Alex Richardson)
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