Algerian Rescuers Recover Body of 10-Year-Old Boy From 80-Meter Well
A four-day rescue operation in Algeria ended in tragedy as the body of 10-year-old Ayoub was recovered from an 80-meter-deep well. Rescuers excavated a parallel shaft but found the boy deceased.
For four days, Algeria held its breath in hope of a miracle. Ten-year-old Ayoub had fallen into a narrow well, approximately 80 meters deep, prompting rescue teams to work around the clock in a desperate bid to reach him. While his family waited at the scene and multitudes prayed for his safety, the ordeal ended in tragedy on Saturday evening when Ayoub's body was recovered from the well.
The Fall
The incident began on Wednesday afternoon when Ayoub set out to bring food and water to his brother, who was herding sheep near the family farm in the village of Ar-Rukn, located in the El Bayadh province of southwestern Algeria. According to his father, on his way back, the boy stood on a wooden plank covering the well's opening to catch a glimpse of his brother in the distance. The plank collapsed under his weight, and Ayoub plunged inside.
His father rushed to the opening and called out to his son. Ayoub initially answered from the depths:
"Get me out of here!"
His father tried to comfort him until rescue teams arrived. At the beginning of the operation, the boy even managed to grab a flashlight lowered by rescuers, but contact was subsequently lost.
A Complex Rescue Operation
The mission facing the rescue teams was exceptionally complex. The well was about 80 meters deep, but its diameter was no more than 40 centimeters. Furthermore, the well was dry. Due to the imminent risk of ground collapse, rescuers could not be lowered directly through the main opening.
Consequently, authorities decided to excavate a parallel shaft to the estimated depth where Ayoub was trapped, and then dig a horizontal tunnel toward him. Specialized teams, drilling experts, and heavy machinery worked continuously, but difficult soil conditions hindered progress. During the excavation, it was discovered that the well was slanted in certain sections, forcing crews to alter their drilling path.
Tragic Echoes
The rescue operation captured the attention of the entire nation. Citizens from across Algeria traveled to the site, and social media was flooded with prayers and calls for his rescue. However, on Saturday, after four days of relentless efforts, the Civil Protection agency announced the grim news: rescuers had reached Ayoub, but recovered his body lifeless.
Ayoub's tragic end immediately recalled another painful memory. Four years ago, the Arab world watched for five days as rescuers attempted to save Rayan, a 5-year-old Moroccan boy who fell into a 30-meter-deep well. In that case, a parallel shaft was also excavated, but Rayan was ultimately pulled out dead.
