Yeni Malatyaspor have announced that goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan has passed away after an earthquake hit Southern Turkey and Northern Syria on Monday.
During the early hours of the morning, an earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the respective areas and was followed by a number of aftershocks and tremors, one reaching as strong as 7.5.
More than 7,000 people are confirmed to have died, with hundreds more missing, and Yeni Malatyaspor have said that Turkaslan was a victim of the tragedy which had unfolded.
On social media, the Turkish second-tier side said: "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."
Başımız sağ olsun!
— Yeni Malatyaspor (@YMSkulubu) February 7, 2023
Kalecimiz Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, meydana gelen depremde göçük altında kalarak, hayatını kaybetmiştir. Allah rahmet eylesin, mekanı cennet olsun.
Seni unutmayacağız güzel insan.😢 pic.twitter.com/15yjH9Sa1H
Turkaslan, who was 28 years of age, had been with Yeni Malatyaspor since the start of last season, making a total of six appearances in all competitions.
As well as representing YMS, Turkaslan also played for Umraniyespor, Ankaraspor and Baskent Safak Spor FK during his professional career.
Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Hatayspor winger Christian Atsu has been rescued from rubble after being in the ninth floor of a building which collapsed soon after the impact of the natural disaster.
The Mirror report that Atsu had most likely been awake when the earthquake initially struck after taking part in a late-night poker game, only returning to his apartment shortly beforehand.
Efforts to rescue Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut, who is believed to have been in the same building as Atsu, are said to remain ongoing.
