Agent of Christian Atsu, Nana Sechere, has cried out for more support in the search for the player after finding his personal belongings at his home.
The player was a casualty of last week Monday’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria which has left a devastating situation in the southern part of the latter.
After more than a week since rescue teams and search teams arrived to pull victims from rubble, the Ghanaian international is yet to be found, prompting his agent to make a trip to Hatay and the residence of Atsu, where the player’s shoes have been found.
Sechere, following the latest developments, has called for more resources to aid in the search for the former Chelsea and Newcastle United winger.
“It has been 9 days since the earthquake and 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,” he wrote in a social media post.
“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.
“Yesterday we received confirmation that thermal imagery was showing signs of up to 5 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 available 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 of Hatay, Lütfü Savaş to provide additional resources to speed up the rescue efforts as a priority.”
Latest update from management of Christian Atsu on ground in Hatay.
They decry the slow pace of work and urge Hatayspor to be present with them.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/IZFE37yfoz
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) February 14, 2023
Atsu played and scored for Hatayspor in the Turkish top flight on the eve of the earthquake and has since been missing together with the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut.