Ghana footballer Christian Atsu’s room located along with two pairs of his shoes, Atsu himself was not found
More than 41,000 people have now been confirmed dead across Turkey and Syria following last week’s earthquakes.
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced 35,418 fatalities had been recorded in Turkey alone – making it the country’s worst disaster in a century.
He added that 105,505 people were injured and more than 13,000 people are still being treated in hospital.
A total of 5,714 people have died in Syria (including both government and rebel-held areas).
This brings the total number of confirmed deaths to 41,132.
Christian Atsu’s flat located, shoes found
A former Newcastle footballer, who went missing after the earthquake struck Turkey, has still not been found – despite initial reports suggesting he had been rescued, his agent has confirmed.
Atsu’s room in his collapsed apartment building in the hard-hit Hatay province was located along with two pairs of his shoes, but Atsu himself was not
Now, it seems that two pairs of shoes belonging to the 31-year-old have been found.
In an update posted today, the Ghanaian’s agent Nana Sechere said: “It has been nine 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.”
He added that the room Atsu was staying in has been located, and thermal imagery had shown “signs of up to five lives”.
“However, I am told that the only real confirmation of life is through sight, smell and sound, and unfortunately we were not able (to) locate Christian.”
Survivor pulled from ruins of collapsed building after being trapped for 205 hours
Against all odds, survivors are still being reported across parts of destroyed Turkey.
The crucial window to find people still alive under the ruins has long closed, but search and rescue teams are continuing their efforts and now a woman has been found.
