Christian Atsu: Body of Ghana star killed in Turkey earthquake flown home

TOPSHOT - The coffin containing the remains of former Ghana international football player Christian Atsu arrive at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, on February 19, 2023. - Former Ghana international Christian Atsu was found dead on February 18, almost two weeks after a devastating earthquake in Turkey. Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7. 8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 43,000 people in both countries. There were initial reports the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false. (Photo by Nipah Dennis / AFP)

Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 46,000 people in both countries. There were initial reports the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false. AFP

The coffin containing the remains of former Ghana international football player Christian Atsu arrive at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, on February 19, 2023. AFP

Family members wait for the arrival of the coffin containing the remains of former Ghana international football player Christian Atsu at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. AFP

A mourner reacts as the body of late Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, who died in the earthquake in Turkey, arrives at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. Reuters

Members of the Ghana Armed Forces prepare to transfer the coffin of Christian Atsu to a military hospital. Reuters

Relatives of late Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, wait at the Kotoka International Airport to receive his remains, in Accra, Ghana. Reuters

The coffin containing the remains of former Ghana international football player Christian Atsu arrive at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, on February 19, 2023. Reuters

An airplane is seen as the body of Christian Atsu arrives at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. Reuters

Ajax player and Ghana national team captail Mohammed Kudus dedicates this goal against Sparta Rotterdam to Christian Atsu, his compatriot who died in an earthquake in Turkey. EPA

An image of former Premier League player Christian Atsu, who was recovered from the rubble of his home in Hatay following the Turkey earthquake, is shown on the screen as a minute's silence is observed in his memory prior to the Premier League match against Manchester City at City Ground on February 18, 2023 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images

A minute's silence in memory of former Chelsea player Christian Atsu at Stamford Bridge, West London, England, on February 18, 2023. AFP

The body of Christian Atsu, the former Ghana international footballer who died in a devastating earthquake in Turkey, was flown home on Sunday, the country's foreign ministry said.

The flight landed in Accra late on Sunday, and his coffin was carried away by members of Ghana's armed forces. The coffin was later due to be transported to a military hospital morgue.

Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, which has claimed more than 46,000 lives in both countries.

He had been playing for Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor.

There were initial reports the former Chelsea and Newcastle United player had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false and his body was found under his home in southern Turkey on Saturday.

Speaking at Kotoka airport in the capital Accra, Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawmia said: "We hoped against hope, every day that passed, we prayed and prayed. But alas, when he was found, he was no more."

"It is a painful loss, a very painful one," he added.

On Saturday, the ministry said that Atsu's older brother and twin sister were present at the site of the rescue when his body was recovered.

His widow Marie-Claire Rupio and their three children were in the stands at St James' Park in Northeast England on Saturday to join in a tribute to the player before Newcastle's Premier League match against Liverpool.

Atsu scored the last of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey's Super Lig on February 5, hours before the quake struck.

"There are no words to describe our sadness," tweeted his Turkish club in homage to him.

"We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person."

He previously played for his national team, representing the Black Stars 65 times and helped his side reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Ghana's President, Nana Akufo-Addo, said: "Football has lost one of its finest ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace".

Meanwhile, a children’s charity described the ex-Chelsea winger as a “wonderful man” whose “legacy will live on through the many hundreds if not thousands of lives he has helped.”

Atsu had been an ambassador for global children’s charity Arms Around The Child (AATC) since 2016, was the main benefactor of a new school that is nearing completion in Senya Beraku in Ghana, and visited children and the project there on several occasions.

“The children looked up to him, he showed them that they can have dreams for a better future and that through education, dreams can be achieved," a spokesperson for AATC said.

"This is why Christian was so passionate about building a school, he believed in education for all, especially as a way to solve problems and give kids a brighter future.”