Turkish goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan dies following earthquake

Turkish goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan has died following Monday’s earthquake in the country, his club Yeni Malatyaspor have said.

More than 7,000 people have died after the earthquake in Turkey and neighbouring Syria, according to figures reported by Reuters on Tuesday evening.

“Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace,” read a message on Yeni Malatyaspor’s Twitter account.

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“We will not forget you, beautiful person.”

Başımız sağ olsun!

Kalecimiz Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, meydana gelen depremde göçük altında kalarak, hayatını kaybetmiştir. Allah rahmet eylesin, mekanı cennet olsun.
Seni unutmayacağız güzel insan.😢 pic.twitter.com/15yjH9Sa1H

— Yeni Malatyaspor (@YMSkulubu) February 7, 2023

Turkaslan, 28, had joined the Turkish second division club in 2021.

Ghana international Christian Atsu has been recovered from the rubble of a collapsed building in Turkey, according to the national team’s FA.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle winger plays his club football for Hatayspor, a team based in the Hatay province of Turkey — one of the worst-affected areas.

The Ghana FA then gave an update on Atsu on Tuesday, saying: “We’ve received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment.

“Let’s continue to pray for Christian.”

Multiple search and rescue operations are underway, with thousands still feared to be trapped under rubble and thousands of buildings destroyed.

Reuters reported on Tuesday morning that at least 5,775 buildings have been destroyed, with a further 24,000 people estimated to be injured but figures continue to rise.

(Photo: Yeni Malatyaspor via Twitter)

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