Turkish footballer Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan has died as a result of the devastating earthquake in his home country.
The goalkeeper, 28, was reported missing yesterday (February 6) following the 7.8 magnitude quake which hit near the city of Gaziantep and also impacted neighbouring Syria. His body was later found found under rubble, but he was unable to be saved.
Turkaslan’s club Yeni Matalyaspor, who play in Turkey’s second tier, confirmed his death, tweeting: “Sorry for your loss. Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake.
“Rest in peace. We will not forget you, beautiful person.”
Ex-team-mate Moussa Sow led the tributes. He wrote: “You were a good guy super nice respectful happy to have been able to know you.”
(Image: @YMSkulubu/Twitter)
Former Crystal Palace and Everton winger Yannick Bolasie, who now plays in the Turkish second tier with Caykur Rizespor, also shared his condolences.
His post read: “RIP brother Eyup Ahmet Turkaslan. One moment you can see someone in the dugout the next moment they’re gone. My condolences to all his family and teammates at Yeni Malatyaspor. Devastating to hear and wish we can all continue to help everyone in need.”
Turkaslan’s wife was successfully rescued on Monday, according to local reports, which stated medics were trying to save his life. Their efforts were, tragically, in vain.
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
He began his senior career with Bugsasspor in 2013, going on to play for fellow Turkish sides Osmanlispor and Umraniyespor before joining Malatyaspor in 2021.
Turkaslan made five appearances in all competitions for them and had been on the bench for their 5-1 defeat away at Rizespor on Saturday (February 4).
Manager Yılmaz Vural had given all of his players two days off after the match, so most of them weren’t in Malatya when the natural disaster occurred. Turkaslan, however, had stayed.
The death toll in Turkey and Syria, where there were also several damaging aftershocks, has now passed 6,000.
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