Atsu’s Management Says Club Has Abandoned Them
The Management of Ghanaian football player Christian Atsu has said that the Hatayspor Club has abandoned them at the site where the player has been trapped and remained missing since last week Monday.
This was contained in an update released by the Management on day 9 since the 7.8 magnitude tremor that rendered the player missing occurred.
The death toll continues to rise as days go by.
Over 33,000 people have died with many others injured in both Turkey and Syria over the earthquake.
Many including Christian Atsu remain trapped in the wreckage.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 14, the Management of the Ghanaian player said his family is also in Hatay, where the player stayed.
It said Atsu has not been located despite locating his room and his shoes.
“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 locate Christian.”
It said the rescue operation is delaying due to a lack of the requisite tools.
It also said the Hatayspor Club- Atsu’s club- has abandoned them at the scene.
“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.”
Below Is The Full Statement:
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.
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 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.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
