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#SaveRayan: Rescue operation to save 5-year-old boy from well shaft enters 4th day

The Moroccon boy fell into the 32-meter (105-feet) well on Tuesday, February 1

A major rescue operation was launched to save a five-year-old boy from Morocco's Ighran village, in the northern province of Chefchaouen. It has entered its fourth day as parents of the child desperately wait for his safe return. Rayan fell into the 32-meter (105-feet) well on Tuesday evening, February 1, while his father was fixing it.

Morocco's official MAP news agency said that initially five bulldozers were used by the search party to excavate vertically to a depth of over 31 meters. But later on Friday, February 4, rescuers began digging a horizontal tunnel to reach the little one after experts in topographical engineering pitched in to help with the rescue effort.

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Reports added that to keep Rayan safe, crew members have sent down oxygen and water to him using a rope. “I pray and beg God that he comes out of that well alive and safe. Please God, ease my pain and his, in that hole of dust,” the boy’s mother Wassima Kharchich reportedly told a local television station.

Earlier, camera footage had shown Rayan lying inside the well with the rope. On Friday night, February 4, authorities said that the operation was approaching its final stage with not more than 20-feet left to excavate to save the boy. Government spokesman Mustapha Baitas said, “The child's rescue is approaching. Our hearts are with the family, and we are praying that he will back with them as soon as possible.”

Medical staff, including specialists in resuscitation, and a helicopter were reportedly seen at the rescue site geared up to provide the boy with the assistance he needs once he’s rescued. A lot of people have gathered around the site to watch the operation while many are offering prayers for the safe recovery of the boy on the internet using the hashtag "#SaveRayan."

A user tweeted, “Not so sure of the last time I prayed for a stranger but I just did and it taught me a lesson that I’m a human being before anything else. Never see such hashtags and ignore them no matter what your religion is. A simple prayer goes a long way. May Rayan be saved. #SaveRayan.” The second user wrote, “My heart is breaking for this little boy and his family, so I can only imagine what his poor parents are going through. I've been praying so hard and I really do believe God will bring him through this. Susan from Northern Ireland.” “I just learned of this and I want nothing more than to be there helping with this rescue. #SaveRayan,” the third user added.

A tweet read, “my heart is breaking into million pieces. his shivering, he’s alone having cold; everything about this case is painful. yet, he is so strong sticking into life with heavy breaths. may allah save him first and rescuers second.” Another tweet stated: “Im watching live the rescue effort for Rayan that been trapt for almost 4 days now. Rescuers are close to him but collapses are feared. 32-meter well 20 to 30 cm wide. My brother said they should use TBM lepastu gali pakai tangan. Hang in there strong boy #SaveRayan.”