‘We will not forget you’: Turkish second-division side Yeni Matalyaspor confirm in emotional tweet that their goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan has died after 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the country and Syria
- The Turkish second-division side confirmed that Ahmet Turkaslan has died
- A deadly earthquake flattened entire neighbourhoods in Turkey and Syria
Turkish second-division side Yeni Matalyaspor have confirmed that goalkeeper Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan has passed away at the age of 28 after the country was hit with a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
Turkey and Syria were hit by the devastating earthquake on Sunday night, with entire neighbourhoods being flattened while families were still asleep.
Türkaslan was reported missing on Monday, and the club have now paid tribute to their goalkeeper after he was confirmed dead on Tuesday.
‘Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace,’ the club tweeted.
‘We will not forget you, beautiful person.’
Yeni Malatyaspor confirmed Turkaslan’s passing on Tuesday following the earthquake
The natural disaster has caused tragedies across Turkey and Syria, with more than 1,400 people killed and thousands more injured – and it has now affected one of Turkey’s top football teams.
Tremors were also heard as far as Egypt, Lebanon and the island of Cyprus.
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.
‘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.
The club shared a post for Ahmet Turkaslan with the caption: ‘Our prayers are with you’ when he was first reported missing on Monday
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
‘Our only second goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, was there. They saved his wife… I am devastated.’
Türkaslan had made two appearances in the Turkish Cup [Ziraat Türkiye Kupası] this season and was yet to have a league outing for the side.
His current club Hatayspor has confirmed that Atsu has been rescued after being trapped under the rubble, but he did suffer physical harm.
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
Ex-Newcastle winger Christian Atsu has been rescued from the rubble after the 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…’