CHEFCHAOUEN: A horizontal drilling operation was launched to save a 5-year-old boy, who fell into a 32-meter-deep well in Morocco.
On the Facebook page of the 2. channel of state said the efforts continue to rescue Rayyan in well in the city of Shafshavan in the north of the country.
The teams have been working for about 76 hours, and the horizontal drilling operation was started by using concrete pipes to save the 5-year-old boy, the channel added.
A Moroccan official announced on Friday that rescue teams had reached the "most critical stage" in digging to save the life of a young boy trapped at the bottom of a well.
In a statement made by Abdel-Hadi Al-Tamrani, head of the committee in charge of the operation to rescue the five-year-old Rayan, to the news website Channel One, said "more than 30 meters (98 feet) out of 32 meters are already dug."
Rayyan has been stuck since Tuesday noon in the dry well, 32 meters deep, in the agricultural village of Igran in the northern Chefchaouen province, while rescue teams have continued efforts to extricate him for 72 hours.
Rayyan’s plight has gripped the North African country since that day.
"There is only a little left before starting to make the horizontal hole," said Al-Tamrani.
He went on to note that "this stage is the most complex in the drilling process, because there is a team that will descend to the bottom of the hole."
The official stressed that to avoid putting the team members' lives at risk, they had to fix the length of the hole as drilling machines moved to the top in order to bury all the soil that could collapse at any time.
According to the official, the drilling process occasionally had to stop to prevent the soil from collapsing due to the "fragile nature of the ground."
On Friday morning, the rescue committee made the announcement that Rayyan was still alive, while drilling operations had to temporarily stop due to sliding rocks.
The rescue crews have been working day and night since Wednesday morning, digging a slope of 150 meters in length and 32 meters in depth in an effort to reach the child and get him out. This was after rescuers failed to land through the hole of the well due to its narrowness and the fear of further soil collapse.
Reuters
Sat Feb 05 2022
Rescuers work to reach a five-year old boy trapped in a well in the northern hill town of Chefchaouen, Morocco February 4, 2022. - REUTERS
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.