Authorities in Saudi Arabia say 2,450 abandoned wells in the kingdom have been made safe as part of a safety and anti-pollution programme.
The case of Rayan Aourram, 5, who became trapped in a well in Morocco and died despite an intense rescue operation that lasted for five days, raised fears among Saudi Twitter users.
Users of the social media platform shared pictures and videos of abandoned wells with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
The ministry responded by giving details of action it had taken to fill in 2,450 wells. It also provided a helpline number to report unsafe locations.
“To ensure everyone's safety and reduce groundwater pollution, the ministry was able to fill in and fortify 2,450 abandoned wells in the first phase, and continues to work to fill in the rest of the exposed wells,” MEWA said.
The programme is part of the first phase of a MEWA environment project to restore and fill in abandoned wells throughout the kingdom “to ensure the safety of road pedestrians and hikers” and to reduce waste and pollution.
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Mourners carry the coffin of Rayan Aourram, the Moroccan boy who died after being trapped inside a well, during his funeral near Chefchaouen in northern Morocco on February 7. EPA -
Grieving villagers waited for hours to attend the funeral prayers and burial rituals. EPA -
Those wishing to pay their final respects to Rayan had to climb the hilly, unpaved road leading to the cemetery in Ighran. EPA -
Moroccans pray over the grave of Rayan. AFP -
The father of Rayan receives condolences during the funeral. AFP -
Moroccans burry the five-year-old after the funeral prayer. AFP -
Hundreds of Moroccans attended the funeral prayer. AFP -
People pray during the funeral. AP Photo -
Mourners carry the body of Rayan. AFP -
Rayan could not be rescued despite a vast operation that lasted five days. Reuters -
Some of the mourners reportedly walked for up to eight kilometres to reach the cemetery. Reuters
The ministry gave a helpline number that citizens and residents can use to report any such locations and for emergencies.
MEWA said such information would be helpful to protect people. “Contribute to reporting the exposed and abandoned wells by calling 939 or via the link,” MEWA tweeted.
Hundreds of mourners gathered on Monday for the funeral of Rayan Aourram.
State media footage showed dozens of mourners performing the Muslim ritual prayers as Rayan was laid to rest. His coffin was draped in green cloth decorated with verses from the Quran.
Local media reported that some of those in attendance had walked up to eight kilometres to reach the cemetery, after the authorities were forced to prevent cars from entering the area due to limited space.
