By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The body of former Chelsea and Newcastle winger Christian Atsu, who died in Turkey’s earthquake, was flown home on Sunday.
The 31-year-old player was killed in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Syria and Turkey on February 6, killing over 44,000 people in both countries.
The country’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday, 19 February, 2023, said that his remains will be accompanied by his family and Ghana’s Ambassador to Turkey on a Turkish airline flight and will arrive in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Sunday, 19 February, 2023, at 7:40 pm.
The Ministry, on Saturday, 18 February, 2023, said that Atsu’s twin sister and older brother were present when his body was recovered at the site.
His widow, Marie-Claire Rupio, and their three children were in the stands at St James’ Park on Saturday, 18 February, 2023, to join in a tribute to the player before Newcastle’s Premier League match against Liverpool.
Hours before the quake struck, Atsu, on February 5, scored the last of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey’s Super Lig.
“There are no words to describe our sadness. We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person,” his club, in homage to him wrote on its Twitter handle.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said: “Football has lost one of its finest ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace.”
The late Atsu previously played for his national team, the Black Stars.
