Ex-Chelsea star Christian Atsu ‘trapped under rubble as huge search and rescue operation begins after Turkey earthquake’

Former Chelsea and Newcastle winger Christian Atsu is reportedly trapped under rubble following the tragic earthquake in Turkey.

Star claims a search and rescue operation is underway to locate the Ghana star after he was struck by Monday’s 7.8 magnitude quake.

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Atsu, 31, joined Super Lig club Hatayspor last summer from Saudi club Al-Raed.

And several members of his new team had to be rescued by specialists after the earthquake.

But it is claimed that Atsu and Hatayspor’s sporting director Taner Savut remain missing under rubble.

The earthquake hit Kahramanmaras, where Hataysport is based, hard.

Two players and members of the technical staff were “pulled from the rubble” in a dramatic rescue operation.

And efforts continue to find Atsu and Savut as soon as possible.

More than 1,000 people are said to have died in the earthquake that struck Turkey around 4 a.m. Monday morning.

And experts say the toll could rise to 10,000 later after a second 7.5-magnitude quake.

Neighboring Syria was also hit hard, with the earthquake also being felt in Egypt and Cyprus.

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