Body of soccer star who died in Turkey quake honours with Ghanaian flag

Following his demise in Turkey’s terrible earthquake, Christian Atsu, a football player from Ghana, had his remains returned home on Sunday. A jet carrying Atsu’s casket to Accra was met by his family and military honours when it landed wrapped in the Ghanaian flag.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Turkey and Syria on February 6 claimed more than 46,000 lives in both countries, and the 31-year-old athlete was found dead on Saturday.

Upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport on Sunday evening with the former Premier League footballer’s remains aboard Turkish Airlines, it was a sombre occasion. Six military pallbearers carried the coffin onto the tarmac in front of a large group of mourning family members, football supporters, diplomats, and state officials, many of whom were playing in the game. A single trumpet sounded as they did so.

The government delegation was led by Ghana’s Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia.

“We prayed for the safety of our brother Christian Atsu with trepidation.” “We prayed constantly, but sadly, he had passed away when he was found,” said Bawumia. “We will sadly miss him.” “Although it is a tragic loss, I would like to assure you that the state will work closely with the family to ensure that he is given a proper funeral.”

The remains of the former Chelsea star were sent to a military hospital mortuary in the nation’s capital, Accra, for preservation following a brief religious service to ask for mercy for his soul.

Before making a permanent move to Newcastle in 2017, the Ghanaian winger played four seasons, primarily on loan, with Chelsea. Aside from Bournemouth, he also played for a number of European teams, including FC Porto, Everton, and Barcelona.

Premier League teams held a moment of silence for Atsu over the weekend. The news that Christian Atsu is one of the numerous casualties of the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria has been received by Chelsea Football Club with great sympathy, the club said in a statement.

He was also praised by Newcastle as “a special person” and “a fantastic footballer,” and they concluded by saying that “our players, staff, and supporters will always remember him with affection.”

Atsu was well-known for his kindness off the pitch, providing scholarships to underprivileged schoolchildren in Ghana and paying fines for inmates to be released.

When Atsu was first identified, Abdul-Hayye Yartey, the proprietor of Cheetah FC in Ghana, helped arrange for him to travel to Portugal for trials. Atsu’s life, he claimed, was well lived, despite being brief.

“Being around unhappy people bothers Christians. Christian is an angel here on earth, to use my own phrase. You might not believe him when he performs certain tasks. “I believe Christian should be remembered for his kindness, humility, and resolve,” said Yartey. “My heart is broken that I have to come and pick up his body after his final flight back to Ghana.” But he has made me very proud.”

For Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, Atsu played 65 games at the international level. At the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, when Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties, Atsu was named tournament player of the tournament.

The three children and spouse of Atsu, Marie-Claire Rupio, are still living.