TWO pairs of Christian Atsu's shoes have been found in the rubble in Turkey, his agent revealed today in a heartbreaking update. The ex-Newcastle and Chelsea player was last see at his home in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, which was destroyed in the devastating earthquake.
His agent Nana Sechere confirmed the 31-year-old has yet to be found as the search continues. But two pairs of the Ghanian's shoes have been discovered in the rubble of his apartment building. The football ace has been missing since the massive 7.8 magnitude quake stuck early on Monday, February 6.
Concerns are growing over Atsu's welfare as the death toll continues to rise in Syria and Turkey. There have been conflicting reports that suggested he had been pulled from the rubble, but these have since been denied by his club Hatayspor. Sechere has now given an update on the situation via his Twitter page. Sechere said:
"We still have not located Christian. "I am at the quake site in Hatay with Christian’s family. "The scenes are unimaginable and our hearts are broken for all the people affected.
"During my time here, we have been able to locate Christian Atsu’s exact room location and we have found two pairs of his shoes."
Atsu has been missing for nine days, which Secher said was devastating. Sechere said:
"Yesterday we received confirmation that thermal imagery was showing signs of up to five lives. "However, I am told that the only real confirmation of life is through sight, smell and sound, and unfortunately we were not able to locate Christian. "This is a difficult situation and we are extremely grateful to all the Turkish and foreign rescue teams, local civilians and volunteers for their efforts and response in rescuing survivors.
"However, we urgently need more resources, including a translator on the ground. "Things are moving incredibly slow and as a result of that many rescues are being delayed, and lives are being lost due to the lack of resources availabl to the workers. "It is unfortunate that the club is not on the ground with us, side by side, in the search for Christian.
"Their position and influence, accompanied with their local knowledge would be extremely helpful. "We implore the President of the club and mayor o Hatay, Lütfü Savaş to provide additional resources to speed up the rescue efforts as a priority."
The heartbreaking pleas follow a confusing turn of events, in which some reports said Atsu had been rescued. The night the quake struck, a video showed rescuers with search lights sifting through the wreckage of Atsu’s apartment block.
His voice was then heard in the rubble, along with that of Hatayspor’s Sporting Director Taner Savut, according to local media. News then followed that he had been saved in a miracle rescue, which has now been disproved. Tragically, just hours before the quake struck, Atsu scored deep into stoppage time on Saturday t secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa.
"Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet," he tweeted. Footage showed Atsu being mobbed by his teammates as ecstatic fans celebrated the win, along with messages praying for him to be found. Big-hearted Sun readers have so far raised £1million in response to the devastation.
All money from the Sun Earthquake Appeal will be donated to the British Red Cross for a major on- the-ground mobilisation. Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto for £3.5million in 2013 but didn't make a single appearance for the Premier League giants.
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