Former Chelsea player Christian Atsu rescued from Turkey earthquake alive but hurt.

• Former Chelsea and Newcastle player Christian Atsu rescued after his voice was heard under rubble of a collapsed building.

Former Newcastle and Chelsea star Christian Atsu has finally been rescued from a collapsed building after an earthquake in Turkey.

Hatayspor vice president Mustafa zat said that Atsu, who was reported missing along with sporting director Taner Savut, is injured but has left the building.

Speaking to Radyo Gol, Ozat said: ‘Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble.’

On Tuesday morning Atsu’s team-mate Kerim Alici, a close friend, also confirmed on Turkish TV that the player had been rescued alive.

İnönü Bulvarı Ekinci Mahallesi No: 62 Rönesans Rezidans

Çok sayıda insanın sesinin geldiği, Hentbol oyuncusu Cemal Kütahyalı, Hatayspor Sportif Direktörü Taner Savut ve futbolcu Cristian Atsu'nun da olduğu sitede ekipler otoparka girmeye çalışıyor. pic.twitter.com/rymcNGlxan

— Ajansspor (@ajansspor) February 6, 2023

Following the devastating earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria overnight on Monday, as families slept, more than 4,100 people have died and many more have been injured.

A rescue squad was seen in the Adyaman District village of Ekinci in video released on social media by Ajansspor.

The voices of Atsu and the sporting director Savut are allegedly audible on the footage.

The sporting director Savut is being rescued as rescue workers make their way through the wreckage, according to the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

Hatayspor players Burak Öksüz, Kerem Alici and Onur Ergün, as well as team officials Ekrem Ekşioğlu and Osman Ateş, were rescued from the rubble on the first day, it was reported.

Atsu was part of the Newcastle team which won promotion back to the Premier League in 2017 after joining on loan for the season from Chelsea, and later completed a permanent move. He has also won 65 caps for Ghana.

The Ghana Football Association said on Tuesday: ‘We’ve received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment. Let’s continue to pray for Christian.’

A post on Newcastle’s official Twitter account on Monday said: ‘Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20.’

Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20. 🙏🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/HQT6yZOmRB

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 6, 2023

Atsu was in action on Sunday for Hatayspor, scoring a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time in a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa.