The former Malaga CF and Ghanaian international, Christian Atsu, aged 31, was among the people affected when a devastating earthquake struck Turkey and northern Syria. Reports indicate he was at home on the ninth floor of an eleven‑story building when the disaster hit. The Mirror’s exclusive coverage notes Atsu had been in his residence when the tremor began, and efforts to locate him followed as the building collapsed.
Atsu’s professional journey included stints with Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United. He later moved to the Turkish club Hatayspor in September of the previous year, continuing his career in Europe’s top leagues prior to joining the Turkish side. The Ghanaian forward was known for his late-minute goal that sealed a recent club victory, with a match against Kasımpaşa taking place the Sunday before the earthquake. After celebrating the win, Atsu reportedly joined teammates for a late-night poker game with friends.
Nana Sechere, Atsu’s representative in London, told The British newspaper that the last contact with Christian occurred around midnight on the Sunday preceding the inquiry. He said Atsu and his friends were playing poker at a friend’s house until about 3:30 a.m. The journey back to the apartment took roughly half an hour, and Atsu arrived around 4 a.m. The earthquake started about 20 minutes later. Sechere explains that club officials contacted him at 5 a.m., unable to reach Atsu and confirming the building’s destruction.
“I was hoping he was awake and there was no earthquake while he was asleep”, Sechere recalled. He added that Atsu lived on the ninth floor, and club officials initially struggled to locate him amid the chaos as they also searched for their own families and friends. The delaying factor for confirmation came from the flow of reports from the UK and Ghana, until the first official club confirmation arrived at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, stating that Atsu was hospitalized and in stable condition. The club’s representative noted Atsu did not have a phone to contact loved ones and that memory of numbers was challenging for everyone involved, leading to ongoing waiting for a direct update.
Following yesterday’s update that Christian had been removed from the club’s live roster, questions remained about his exact whereabouts. The ongoing search became a painful period for his family, and efforts continued to locate him. A public post by Sechere on social media captured the gravity of the moment, emphasizing the emotional strain and the urgent need for information. The post also referenced official communications that revealed the seriousness of the situation, while remaining careful not to prematurely assume a conclusion.
Sechere reflected on his own experience of the disaster, noting that he could have been trapped too. He had planned to travel, but a last-minute change in flight saved him from being on the same path as Atsu that weekend. He shared that the decision to stay behind was influenced by a belief in providence, adding that his family was grateful for the outcome, even as others faced profound loss. His remarks underscore the unpredictable nature of such events and the thin line between safety and tragedy in moments of crisis.
In the days that followed, the international football community and Atsu’s fans mourned and supported the ongoing search for his whereabouts. The coverage documented the emotional and logistical hurdles faced by Atsu’s circle, from coordinating with teams and clubs to managing personal communications during a time of extreme distress. This account preserves the memory of a professional player whose career spanned multiple leagues and countries, highlighting the human side of a sudden disaster and its impact on families, friends, and supporters around the world. The situation, while tragic, also reflects the resilience of sports communities in the face of catastrophe, offering a reminder of the importance of timely, accurate information and compassionate outreach in the wake of such events. (Attribution: The Mirror, and statements from Nana Sechere and linked club officials.)
— Nana Sechere (@iAmNana7) February 8, 2023