Former Chelsea and Newcastle star Christian Atsu is reportedly 'trapped under rubble' after a huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria.

Ghana international Atsu plays for Hatayspor and reports in Turkey say that the club's players and employees were caught up in the tragic earthquake.

The earthquake hit hard in Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor is based.

Turkish outlet Star says that two players and two members of staff were "pulled out of the rubble" but both Atsu and Taner Savut, the club's sporting director, remain missing and a search and rescue operation is underway as they try to find the pair.

Ahmet Eyup, who plays for Yeni Malatyaspor as a goalkeeper, is also said to be under the rubble.

Atsu, who had a loan spell with Everton, joined Hatayspor in July 2021 from Saudi Arabia side Al-Raed.

He scored a 97th minute winner for his side against Kasimpasa on Sunday, just hours before the natural disaster occurred at 4am on Monday morning.

The BBC say more than 1000 people have been killed and thousands injured in the earthquake.