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Former Chelsea and Newcastle star Christian Atsu is alive in rubble of a destroyed building and trying to escape after 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey

Former Chelsea and Newcastle star Christian Atsu is alive in the rubble of a destroyed building after Monday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey, according to reports.

More than 1,600 people have been killed and thousands more injured after the catastrophic earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria overnight, flattening neighbourhoods while families were asleep.

As reported by multiple outlets in Turkey, a search and rescue operation is underway for Ghanaian international Atsu, who joined Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor last summer.

Two of his team-mates as well as members of the technical staff were said to have been pulled out of the rubble, though Atsu - who scored a dramatic late winner for his club on Sunday - is still missing.