Christian Atsu has been found dead after Turkey's earthquake disaster | OneFootball

Christian Atsu has tragically been found dead as a result of the earthquakes that have devastated Turkey and Syria. The death toll for the natural disaster is growing, surpassing 40,000 fatalities now, ripping the countries apart. Charities are in place to provide vital aid to the region. The former Newcastle United winger was believed to have been found early on in the search for survivors.

However, his agent later claimed that wasn’t the case and Atsu was in fact, still missing. The Ghanaian was missing for 12 days in total, with his agent confirming the news we had been fearing, his body was found under the rubble of the building where he lived.

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The president of his side in Turkey, Mustafa Ozat, claimed that his winger had be found. Tragically though, that has turned out to not be the case. The Hatayspor man was still to be found after being inside a building which collapsed when the disaster struck.

Christian Atsu scored a last-minute wonder goal hours before the tragedy

Just hours before the earthquakes hit, Atsu was Hatayspor's hero, scoring a last minute free-kick against Kasimpasa which was simply sublime. He was paraded around by his teammates after his sumptuous strike seven minutes deep of stoppage time. Beautiful scenes which are now hard to watch back.

It was his first goal for the club, and boy what a way to announce himself. Things turned dark rather drastically though with the natural disaster tearing families apart and taking lives, including Atsu's.

This all goes to show, there are much more vital things in life that football, so cherish every moment we have because you don't know what is around the corner at any given moment. Bill Shankly wasn't correct all the time, football isn't anywhere near as important as life and death.

Video: Christian Atsu passes away

Christian Atsu passes away: His agent releases statement confirming the tragic news

Taking to Twitter, his agent annouced: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu's body was recovered this morning.

"My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.

"I ask that whilst we make the necessary arrangements, that everyone would please respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time."

There was still hope that the winger would be found alive, but unfortunately he succumbed to the tragedy like so many others in the region in what has been a truly harrowing watch on the news as the devastation caused to life.

The earthquakes were of a 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude and have ripped through villages and cities, destroying almost anything in its path, but of course, the cost of human life is the tragedy here. Infrastructure can be replaced, but life can't.

Our thoughts go out to all those that have lost loved ones in the disaster, and with Christian Atsu's friends and family.