President Akufo-Addo has joined the growing list of Ghanaians praying for the safety of Black Stars forward Christian Atsu.

Atsu is reportedly among thousands of people left under the rubble of Monday morning’s devastating earthquake in Turkey.

Taking to social media, President Akufo-Addo sent his condolences to Turkey’s government and residents after over 2,000 people were confirmed dead with many more trapped in the rubble.

One of the people trapped is Christian Atsu. President Akufo-Addo re-echoed the sentiments of many Ghanaians who are praying for the footballer’s safety.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Governments and peoples of Turkey and Syria on the devastation and the tragic loss of lives occasioned by Monday’s earthquake.”

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors, and we pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound,” his post read.

May their souls rest in perfect peace. Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors, and we pray that our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, is found safe and sound. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/7GOtpYyKAI

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) February 6, 2023

This comes after a powerful earthquake struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, killing more than 2,000 people as they slept, trapping many others in the early hours of Monday.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9km (11 miles) near the city of Gaziantep.

Hours later, a second quake, which had a magnitude of 7.5, hit the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province.

The death toll in Turkey from this morning’s earthquake has risen again to 1,498, according to the country’s disaster management agency.

The combined death toll from the initial quake in Turkey and Syria now stands at more than 2,300 after 810 people were confirmed dead in Syria, the AFP news agency reports.

Meanwhile, three Ghanaian Turkey-based players, Faustina Kyeremeh, Suzzy Dede Teye, and Priscilla Okyere have confirmed they are safe following Monday morning’s devastating earthquake in Turkey.

Priscilla Okyere and Suzzy Teye Dede both play for the women of Hatayspor, the club which Atsu also represents.

On the other end, Faustina Kyereh plays for Fenerbahce women.