Turkish second-division side confirm that goalkeeper Ahmet Türkaslan is missing after earthquake

Turkish second-division side Yeni Matalyaspor have confirmed that goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan is missing after the country was hit with a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

More than 1,300 people were killed, with thousands more injured, as the catastrophic earthquake swept through Turkey and Syria overnight, flattening entire neighbourhoods while many families were still asleep. 

The natural disaster has caused tragedies across the two countries – with tremors also heard as far as Egypt, Lebanon and the island of Cyprus – and it now appears to have effected one of the country’s top football teams.

It was confirmed that Yeni Matalysaspor goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan was one the victims to have been caught in the earthquake that struck Kahramanmaraş on Sunday night.

On Monday, the club wrote on their Instagram story: ‘TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMON! Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, is in the building that was damaged and destroyed in the earthquake. 

The Turkish club confirmed Turkaslan had been missing via a post on their Instagram story

More than 1,400 people have been killed and thousands more injured following the quake which hit Turkey and Syria – with a second 7.5 quake hitting several hours after the first

‘Search and rescue efforts continue. As of now, there has been no news from him yet. Do not miss your prayers

According to De Marke Sports, head coach Yılmaz Vural said: ‘After the Rizespor match, I gave the team 2 days off. Most of the players were not in Malatya. 

‘Our only second goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, was there. They saved his wife… I am devastated.’

The 28-year-old had made two appearances in the Turkish Cup [Ziraat Türkiye Kupası] this season and was yet to have a league outing for the side.

It was also revealed by reports that former Chelsea and Newcastle star Christian Atsu was also injured by the earthquake and remains ‘trapped under rubble’.

As buildings began to collapse, many residents fled from their homes to take shelter in cars as a wave of at least 40 aftershocks rocked the two countries.

The quake was centred north of Gaziantep, Turkey, which is about 60 miles from the Syrian border and has a population of bout two million. The region is home to large numbers of Syrian refugees. 

It struck at 04:17 am local time (0117 GMT) at a depth of about 11 miles, the US Geological Survey said. A strong 6.7 aftershock rumbled about 10 minutes later. Turkey’s own agency said 40 aftershocks were felt.

Turkaslan was yet to make an appearance in the league for the side (picture from @eha_medya)

Pictured: The destroyed ruins of an elementary school is seen in Hatay, Turkey on Monday

Christian Atsu is reportedly ‘stuck under rubble’ following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake

The earthquake has had a large impact on sport in the country, and led to ex-Turkey international and Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel breaking down in tears on social media and imploring the world to help his homeland.

Demirel, who made 63 senior caps for Turkey during his international career, took to Instagram in a live video on Monday morning to beg for support.

‘Help! I want you to send all the resources you have to the environmentalist. It is not just Hatay and Antakya,’ Demirel pleaded.

‘Please, I’m asking you. Please, please, for the love of God, people are dying here. For the love of God…’