Calgary soccer star survives earthquake – but worried for teammates
Calgary soccer star Sam Adekugbe is working with the Red Cross, urging Canadians to donate to quake relief.Adekugbe plays professionally in Turkiye, for Hatayspor, in the devastated city of Antakya.
He survived the disaster, but is worried for his community and teammates
“I thought I was having a panic attack,” Adekugbe told TSN. “And then the shakes just kind of progressed more and more. I started hearing things getting thrown around the kitchen. Plates, cups and all sorts, just hitting the ground.”
“The TV fell over, the table stand fell over, and that's when I realized what was going on."
Adekugbe says some teammates left his place just before the quake, including one player who he says is still unaccounted for.
His team's sporting director is also missing.
Over 6,000 people have been confirmed dead, with thousands of collapsed buildings
He says buildings collapsed and roads are split throughout his community, with many victims trapped in rubble.
“There's so many things to process at that moment in time. Of course your safety is one, but you're just thinking about so many things. You're thinking about what other people are going through, you're thinking about how lucky you are to still be alive.”
Adekugbe and fellow Canadian national team player, Atiba Hutchison, who also plays pro soccer in Turkiye, have set up their own website to raise funds:
Adekugbe, 23, moved to Calgary from the UK with his family, when he was 10. He played for Canada in the World Cup in Qatar.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.