Former Ghana president John Mahama has called for prayers for Christian Atsu, who is reported to be trapped under rubble after the massive earthquake in Turkey on Monday.
The 31-year-old who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor is said to have been caught up in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
Several members of his team had to be rescued after the earthquake, and Atsu is now reported to be among those still missing as a search and rescue operation begins.
The club’s sporting director Taner Savut is also trapped.
Mahama wrote, “Let’s continue to pray for our brother, Christian Atsu, and his club director. The city of Hayat is in the region affected by the earthquake. Let’s continue to pray that God spares their lives.”
Let’s continue to pray for our brother, Christian Atsu, and his club director. The city of Hayat is in the region affected by the earthquake. Let’s continue to pray that God spares their lives. https://t.co/51RKJOc7AZ
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) February 6, 2023
Atsu scored a 97th minute free-kick as Hatayspor beat Kasımpaşa S.K. on Sunday.
As per official reports, over 1,300 individuals have lost their lives and about 6,000 more have been injured in the disaster.
A significant aftershock with a magnitude of 7.5 struck Turkey’s south hours after the initial quake, causing it to be felt again in Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan.