{"id":3746,"date":"2023-02-20T15:34:53","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T15:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/countysplash.co.ke\/?p=3746"},"modified":"2023-02-20T15:34:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T15:34:53","slug":"christian-atsus-body-flown-to-ghana-for-burial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horizonnews.co.ke\/?p=3746","title":{"rendered":"Christian Atsu\u2019s body flown to Ghana for burial"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Atanas Walila, Kakamega<\/strong><\/p>\n

The body of footballer Christian Atsu, who died after an earthquake hit Turkey, has been returned to Ghana.<\/p>\n

The Ghanaian footballer died in Turkey \u00a0in a deadly earthquake that killed over 25,000 people.<\/p>\n

The footballer’s remains were accompanied from Turkey by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey Odunton.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The late Christian Atsu<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Atsu’s death was confirmed on Saturday morning by his representative, Nana Sechere, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well-wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning. My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones.”<\/p>\n

The plane landed on Sunday at 19:25 GMT in Accra where it was met by relatives, government officials and representatives of the Ghana Football Association.<\/p>\n

Atsu was found dead under his home where he has been stuck since the deadly incident.<\/p>\n

The footballer had been missing since the occurrence of the disastrous 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 2023.<\/p>\n

This caused the collapse of his apartment in Antakya, southern Turkey where he was living. He had been playing for Hatayspor club.<\/p>\n

The Hatayspor club initially reported the player had been rescued with injuries, but their statement later changed and his agent confirmed the news of his death.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The late Christian Atsu<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The winger played 65 times for Ghana’s national team and helped his side reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old also played for Everton and Newcastle in the England Premier League.<\/p>\n

Speaking at Kotoka airport in Accra, Ghana’s Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia expressed their situation as the searching process for Atsu was going on.<\/p>\n

“We hoped against hope, every day that passed, we prayed and prayed. But alas, when he was found, he was no more,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mr Bawumia added the late footballer was much loved and would be sorely missed. He promised that Atsu will be given a befitting burial”It is a painful loss, a very painful one,” he lamented.<\/p>\n

Atsu is remembered for establishing ‘Arms around the Child’ a charity organization which he has been an ambassador for since 2016.<\/p>\n

He is also the main benefactor of that school which supports abandoned children, orphans, the chronically ill and those rescued from trafficking.<\/p>\n

Fans have described him as “a young boy from poverty in Ghana who followed his dreams and used his talent and platform to help others.”<\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Atanas Walila, Kakamega The body of footballer Christian Atsu, who died after an earthquake hit Turkey, has been returned to Ghana. The Ghanaian footballer died in Turkey \u00a0in a deadly earthquake that killed over 25,000 people. The footballer’s remains were accompanied from Turkey by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey Odunton. 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