Yeni Malatyaspor coach Yılmaz Vural announced on Tuesday that goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, who was buried under rubble, has been found dead following the earthquake that hit Turkey on Monday.

• LIVE Devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Searches continue around the clock, in winter conditions / Nearly 5,300 dead and tens of thousands injured / 23 million people affected by earthquakes / 11,000 buildings damaged in Turkey

Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan died during the earthquake in Turkey

Turkaslan, who is believed to be missing after the apartment building he was in collapsed on Monday following Turkey’s first earthquake, was pulled out of the rubble lifeless, Hurriyet writes.

“The lifeless body of our Ahmet was found. Condolences to family and friends,” coach Yilmaz Vural said.

Soon after that, the Yeni Malatyaspor club officially announced the death of the 28-year-old goalkeeper.

“Our goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan died after being buried under the rubble. Rest in peace. We will not forget you, beautiful,” the club wrote on social networks.

And Turkish football legend Hakan Sukur mourned the loss of a player who played for Bugsasspor, Osmanlispor and Umaraniyespor.

In the 2021-2022 season, Turkaslan was coached by Marius Šumudike in Malatyaspor.

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit central Turkey and northwestern Syria on Monday, killing more than 5,300 people and injuring thousands. Many buildings collapsed in the snow-covered region as rescuers began searching for survivors trapped under the debris. An earthquake early this winter morning was followed by another devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake at midday, according to the relevant European agency.