Moroccan boy trapped in well has died, according to state media

Rayan fell into the well Tuesday afternoon and was discovered after he was heard crying, his mother said in an interview with state-owned Al-Aoula TV two days later.

She said he was playing nearby before he disappeared, and that she quickly called authorities after finding out what had happened.

As rescue efforts continued throughout the week, gripping much of the country, the hashtag #SaveRayan went viral across North Africa.

The boy’s father previously told Al-Aoula that authorities sent food and water down the well and that he saw his son drinking some water.

“He was moving, and drank a little bit of water. I believe he will be okay, God help him,” he said.

Local media also reported that the child had taken food and water that was dropped down to him using a rope.

A report from MAP noted that it would be difficult to determine the time needed to complete the rescue operation, because of the nature of the soil that remained to be dug up in the horizontal gap connecting the well with a parallel hole.

Authorities used machinery in the difficult operation because the diameter of the well was only just over a foot and a half wide, Al-Aoula reported.

Meanwhile, a medical helicopter and medical staff specializing in resuscitation had also been deployed to the area to take care of Rayan once he was pulled from the well, local authorities told MAP.

“People who love us are sparing no effort to save my child,” Rayan’s father said as he stood watching rescue efforts on Friday night, Reuters reported.