Turkish second division goalkeeper dies aged 28 following 7.8-magnitude earthquake

More than 5,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, including Turkaslan, who was 28 years old.

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A statement from the club read: "Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Türkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace.

"We will not forget you, beautiful person."

The catastrophic earthquake swept through Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday morning, causing devastation among many communities.

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It's also affected the sporting world, with former Premier League star Christian Atsu injured following the disaster.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle winger, who plies his trade at Super Lig side Hatayspor, was missing having been caught up in Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor are based, along with club sporting director Taner Savut.

Hatayspor vice president Mustafa Ozat confirmed that Atsu is out of the rubble but injured, while the search for Savut continues.

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Speaking to Radyo Gol, Ozat said: "Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble."

He added: "Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours."

It was also revealed that two more players from Hatayspor - Burak Oksuz and Bertug Yildirim - have also been saved from the rubble.

And two members of the technical team - Ekrem Eksioglu and Osman Ates - also survived the wreckage with their health said to be good.

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Atsu's teammates Onur Ergun and Burak Oksuz were found alive by rescue teams on Monday and Portuguese Hatayspor players Ruben Ribeiro and Cape Verdean Ze Luis are safe.

Hatayspor defender Kerim Alici managed to get out of the rubble himself.