• The parents of Rayan Aourram walk away after rescue workers retrieved his body from a deep well and placed it in an ambulance, in the village of Ighran in Morocco's Chefchaouen province. EPA
    The parents of Rayan Aourram walk away after rescue workers retrieved his body from a deep well and placed it in an ambulance, in the village of Ighran in Morocco's Chefchaouen province. EPA
  • An ambulance drives away from the well where rescuers retrieved the body. The 5-year-old Moroccan boy who was trapped in a well for four days has died, authorities confirmed. EPA
    An ambulance drives away from the well where rescuers retrieved the body. The 5-year-old Moroccan boy who was trapped in a well for four days has died, authorities confirmed. EPA
  • The rescue effort began after Rayan fell 32 metres down a dry well on Tuesday. AFP
    The rescue effort began after Rayan fell 32 metres down a dry well on Tuesday. AFP
  • Rescue workers carry the body and place it in the ambulance. EPA
    Rescue workers carry the body and place it in the ambulance. EPA
  • Rayan's body was wrapped in a yellow blanket after it was taken out through a tunnel dug specifically for the rescue. AFP
    Rayan's body was wrapped in a yellow blanket after it was taken out through a tunnel dug specifically for the rescue. AFP
  • A member of the Moroccan emergency services in action during the rescue operation. AFP
    A member of the Moroccan emergency services in action during the rescue operation. AFP
  • Search crews first used five bulldozers to dig vertically to a depth of more than 31 metres. AFP
    Search crews first used five bulldozers to dig vertically to a depth of more than 31 metres. AFP
  • On Friday, rescuers started excavating a horizontal tunnel to reach Rayan. AFP
    On Friday, rescuers started excavating a horizontal tunnel to reach Rayan. AFP
  • Experts in topographical engineering were called upon for help. AFP
    Experts in topographical engineering were called upon for help. AFP
  • A Moroccan emergency services climber surveys the site. AFP
    A Moroccan emergency services climber surveys the site. AFP
  • People wait for word on the rescue. AFP
    People wait for word on the rescue. AFP
  • Rescuers had earlier been able to feed Rayan food and oxygen through an opening in the well, and they placed a camera on him to watch his progress. AFP
    Rescuers had earlier been able to feed Rayan food and oxygen through an opening in the well, and they placed a camera on him to watch his progress. AFP
  • Hundreds of technical experts, workers, journalists, volunteers and well-wishers watched the rescue mission at the site and on live streams. AFP
    Hundreds of technical experts, workers, journalists, volunteers and well-wishers watched the rescue mission at the site and on live streams. AFP
  • Members of the civil defence use diggers and other equipment at the site. AFP
    Members of the civil defence use diggers and other equipment at the site. AFP
  • Crowds gather near the well as they anxiously wait for news on the fate of the child. AFP
    Crowds gather near the well as they anxiously wait for news on the fate of the child. AFP
  • As the well became deeper, it also narrowed to a diameter of a little more than 30 centimetres, rescue workers said. AFP
    As the well became deeper, it also narrowed to a diameter of a little more than 30 centimetres, rescue workers said. AFP
  • A woman waits for news at the site. AFP
    A woman waits for news at the site. AFP
  • The rescue operation captured attention in Morocco and around the world. AFP
    The rescue operation captured attention in Morocco and around the world. AFP
  • Rescuers work against the clock to reach Rayan. AFP
    Rescuers work against the clock to reach Rayan. AFP
  • Rescuers toiled through the night as concerns about Rayan's safety grow. AFP
    Rescuers toiled through the night as concerns about Rayan's safety grow. AFP
  • Rescuers during the nerve-racking final stages of a marathon effort to rescue Rayan. AFP
    Rescuers during the nerve-racking final stages of a marathon effort to rescue Rayan. AFP
  • Bystanders watch as the rescue attempt continues. AFP
    Bystanders watch as the rescue attempt continues. AFP
  • The brave work of rescue workers goes on. AFP
    The brave work of rescue workers goes on. AFP
  • Concerns about ground stability halted the rescue attempt at times. AP
    Concerns about ground stability halted the rescue attempt at times. AP
  • Rayan's father said that he was touched by the outpouring of support from fellow Moroccans over his son's ordeal. AP
    Rayan's father said that he was touched by the outpouring of support from fellow Moroccans over his son's ordeal. AP

UAE

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan offer condolences to Rayan's family

Morocco in grief as boy, 5, dies after five-day effort to rescue him from well

Salam Al Amir
Salam Al Amir

February 06, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid offered his condolences to the family of Rayan Aourram and the people of Morocco after rescuers extracted the little boy's body from a well.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai wrote on Twitter: “Our sincere condolences to the family of Rayan and to the Moroccan people and to all humanity that was devastated by his loss.

“May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant us patience and solace.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, paid tribute to Rayan in a social media post.

He was joined by thousands of people who expressed their grief and extended their condolences to the family of Rayan, 5, who was at the centre of a rescue effort that captivated the world.

“During five days he spent in the darkness hungry and in pain, he captured our hearts and we were elated at the news of his rescue but then broke our hearts. You may find warmth now with the God of light after your days in darkness,” wrote one Twitter user.

Rayan fell into a dry well on the outskirts of the city of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco on Tuesday.

Authorities were alerted the same day and spent five days trying to save him.

Moroccan officials announced his death shortly after he was reached by rescue workers at about 10pm local time.

It was not indicated whether he died before he was reached or after.

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Updated: February 08, 2022, 6:05 AM
MoroccoUAEDubai