Rayan: Morocco well rescue for five-year-old grips nation

boy stuck

Rescuers are still desperately trying to reach a five-year-old boy who fell into a well near the Moroccan city of Chefchaouen on Tuesday. The boy, named by local media as Rayan, was reportedly playing near the well in the northern town of Tamorot, 100km (62 miles) from Chefchaouen. He is believed to have fallen about 32m (104ft) through a narrow opening. After days of digging there are just three metres to go, but there is the risk of a landslide. So as a precaution, a “parallel shaft” is being dug next to the well to reach Rayan that is so far proving successful, says Moroccan government spokesman Mustapha Baitas. Rescue operations, led by Morocco’s Civil Protection Directorate, have been ongoing since Tuesday evening, even going through the night. “The child’s rescue is approaching,” Mr Baitas said on Thursday evening. “Our hearts are with the family, and we are praying that he will back with them as soon as possible.”(BBC)…[+]