Emergency services were still working around the clock to rescue the boy as soon as possible

Un niño de cinco años lleva atrapado más de 48 horas en un pozo de Marruecos

photo_camera PHOTO/AFP - rescue of the boy ryan

Moroccan rescue teams continue to work around the clock to find Rayan, a five-year-old boy who accidentally fell into a dry well in the northern Moroccan village of Igran, as soon as possible. The boy has been trapped in the well since Tuesday afternoon and, after 48 hours in the well, he is still alive.

Rayan accidentally fell into the well after wandering away from the family home to play in the fields with his father. According to his father, who told Moroccan media Le360, the well belonged to Rayan's family, who were repairing it when he went missing. His mother was the first to notice the boy's disappearance, and it was workers who reported hearing the boy underground. 

AFP - people awaiting rescue

The child fell down a hole about fifty centimetres wide. Initially, an attempt was made to enlarge the hole, but it was not possible, as the ground did not allow it. Several volunteers tried to enter the cavity, but they were only halfway down due to the narrowness of the hole. This was followed by several rescue operations carried out by the Moroccan authorities.

This work was made difficult by the fact that the well is 32 metres deep, narrow and very difficult to access. That is why, during the night of Thursday to Friday, excavation work began with various machinery to dig a tunnel parallel to the well and reach the location of the child. The rescuers have the support of topographers to help with the excavations. 

AFP - rescue of the boy ryan 

According to MAP news agency, "the drilling has reached more than 27 metres, with the hope of reaching 32 metres in the next few hours, before digging a 3-metre horizontal gap between the hole and the well to recover the boy". It also reported on the deployment of medical teams, who will "carry out the first examinations and resuscitation interventions on the child once he has been rescued". In addition, a helicopter of the Moroccan security forces is ready to transfer the child quickly to the hospital. 

Le360 reported that the rescue and relief teams were able to get "water and oxygen through tubes" to Rayan. Thanks to these instruments, the rescue team and relatives are keeping a close eye on the boy, as they inserted a small camera - used in case of a rescue - to communicate with him and determine his state of health. 

AFP - One of those responsible for rescuing the child

The government spokesman, Mustapha Batias, expressed his support for Rayan's family after the weekly government council: "Our hearts go out to the family and we pray to God that they find their loved ones as soon as possible". He also reviewed the different operations carried out to rescue the boy, and the problems that the operators have in accessing to carry out the rescue. According to Batias, these problems can be reduced to two, the first being the nature of the ground and the second: "The density of citizens who have moved into the area and have made the work of the rescuers difficult". From his position he called on onlookers to facilitate the rescue process.

Rayan's story is keeping the whole of Morocco on tenterhooks, and has aroused solidarity and support from all over the world, including neighbouring Algeria. Numerous volunteers have been on the spot, and even a 12-year-old boy has expressed his willingness to go down to fetch the little boy.

Information on the boy's condition is being closely followed by many internet users on social networks. Several celebrities have even expressed their concern about Rayan's condition. Among them is the PSG footballer Achraf Hakimi, who shared an illustration and his wishes for the boy to be rescued soon. Also, the support of Manchester City's Algerian player, Riyad Mahrez, who also expressed his support through social media.
 

More in Society