ISTANBUL — Search groups have recovered the physique of Ghanaian worldwide soccer participant Christian Atsu within the ruins of a constructing that collapsed in the course of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, his supervisor stated Saturday.

The stays of the soccer star, who had been enjoying for Turkish Tremendous Lig membership Hatayspor, have been present in what was left of a luxurious 12-story constructing the place he had been residing within the hard-hit metropolis of Antakya, Hatay province.

“Atsu’s lifeless physique was discovered underneath the rubble. In the meanwhile, his belongings are nonetheless being eliminated,” supervisor Murat Uzunmehmet instructed personal information company DHA.

The loss of life toll from the 7.8-magnitude quake on Feb. 6 in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria handed 43,000 on Friday and was sure to extend as search groups discover extra our bodies.

The 31-year-old Atsu, who beforehand performed for English Premier League golf equipment Chelsea, Newcastle United, Everton and Bournemouth, signed for Hatayspor from a Saudi facet late final yr.

Hatayspor stated Atsu’s physique was being repatriated to Ghana. “There are not any phrases to explain our disappointment,” the membership tweeted.

Stories a day after the quake struck had stated that Atsu was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed constructing and brought to a hospital for therapy. The membership, nonetheless, introduced days later that Atsu and the membership’s sporting director, Taner Savut, have been nonetheless lacking. Savut has not but been discovered.

The contractor of the posh 12-story Ronesans Rezidans constructing — the place Atsu and Savut lived — was detained at Istanbul Airport per week in the past, apparently making an attempt to depart the nation.

___

Observe AP’s earthquake protection at https://apnews.com/hub/earthquakes