Ghana’s embassy in Turkey is making arrangements for the body of footballer Christian Atsu to be brought home for burial.
The arrangements are being made with assistance from the Government of Turkey.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
It comes a few hours after the body of the Hatayspor player was recovered from under rubble on Saturday, February 18.
The recovery of the body comes 12 days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, claiming over 40,000 lives.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Christian Atsu’s elder brother, twin sister and an official from the Ghana Embassy were present at the site when the body was recovered.
“Government extends to the widow and family of Christian Atsu our deepest condolences,” the statement on Saturday, February 18 said.
A few days after the earthquake, the Ghanaian player was reported missing.
However, news came through that he was found and recovering in an unknown hospital.
There was a U-turn, however, from his club that he had not been found contrary to the earlier reports.
Saturday’s recovery of Christian Atsu’s body has already seen a lot of loved ones paying him tributes.
His friend and former Black Stars teammate Mubarak Wakaso tweeted of his heartbreak after hearing the news.
Rest well 💔😢😭
— M.M.JUNIOR WAKASO (@WakasoBobby) February 18, 2023
Atsu’s former club Chelsea FC also paid him tribute.
Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023