WELL TRAGEDY
Rayan dead: Heartbroken rescuers pull lifeless body of boy, 5, from 100ft Morocco well where he was trapped for 100hrs
A LITTLE boy who fell 100ft down a well has died of his injuries after more than 100 hours entombed in the dark.
Morocco's king confirmed the tragic news tonight that Rayan Awram, five, did not survive after being trapped in an 18-inch space below ground since midday on Tuesday.
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Rayan's family were left devastated as his aunt said her heart was "aching" after his tragic death.
And meanwhile one of the rescuers was hailed a hero as it was revealed he dug for days with his bare hands.
Moroccan King Mohammed VI expressed his condolences to the boy's parents in a statement released by the palace.
Rescuers immediately launched an astonishing effort to free Rayan after the little one fell, and he was finally brought out of the shaft this evening.
His body was seen wrapped in a yellow blanket as he was carried to an ambulance.
Medics who went into the tunnel with a stretcher were unable to resuscitate him, despite working on the child for more than an hour.
Officials had previously warned there was "no certainty" he was still alive - and it was "impossible" to know more until he was freed.
There had been hopes he would survive the ordeal, with tentative suggestions on social media tonight that he was still alive.
Huge cheers went up as Rayan was brought out and put into a waiting ambulance less than half an hour ago.
People around the world who have been gripped by the mission immediately celebrated.
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But their joy was short-lived after the tragedy was revealed.
Crews had lowered a camera, oxygen and water down a rope to reach the injured youngster during the rescue. It's not known if he was able to use them.
Heartbreaking photos showed him bleeding at the bottom of the shaft.
Thousands of locals, including his parents, had gathered to watch the dangerous and complex rescue mission.
This evening, the crowd sang traditional poem Talaʽ al-Badru ʽAlayna and chanted "god is greatest"; as they waited for news.
Teams finally reached Rayan a full 96 hours after his fall.
But tension continued to build as the delicate and complex operation to free him continued into the night.
Rescuers formed a human chain between the site and an ambulance to ferry Rayan out of the tiny space.
The bid to free the boy has been hugely complex and challenging. The lad fell into a space so narrow, no adult rescuer could have reached him.
Widening the shaft was deemed too risky in case it collapsed and buried the little one alive.
Instead, diggers were brought in to clear earth away.
Bulldozers cleared a space 100ft deep before gently clearing a 10ft tunnel horizontally to Rayan.
A huge trench has now been created beside the well.
However, progress slowed to a snail's pace as the drill teams worked by hand to avoid any vibrations that might bring the brittle soil down on the stricken child.
TRAGEDY IN MOROCCO
Experts said there were concerns the layers of rock and sand are unstable and could collapse in on the boy.
Engineers have been working at the site to assess the risk of landslip and advise on the best method.
Adding to the challenge is the weather.
A glacial cold has gripped the mountainous and impoverished region of the Rif, which is at an elevation of about 700m (2,300ft).
Speaking today, government official Mustapha Baitas said: "The child's rescue is approaching.
"Our hearts are with the family, and we are praying that he will back with them as soon as possible."
Rayan went missing while playing in his home village Ighrane in Chefchaouen province on Tuesday afternoon.
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Rayan's dad was repairing the well at the time of the accident and said he took his eyes off him for just a moment when he fell.
"In that one moment I took my eyes off him, the little one fell into the well. I haven't slept a wink", he told news site le360.
His tearful mum Wassima Kharchich told Moroccan media: "The whole family went out to look for him then we realised that he'd fallen down the well.
"I pray and beg God that he comes out of that well alive and safe. Please God, ease my pain and his, in that hole of dust."
A male relative said last night the family first realised Rayan was missing when they heard muffled crying.
A phone with a light and camera on was lowered into the space to find him.
"He was crying 'Lift me up'," the relative said.
'LIFT ME UP'
The search has gripped the North African country, with #SaveRayan trending on social media.
PSG and Morocco footballer Achraf Hakimi posted a broken heart emoji and hands together in prayer.
Manchester City's Algerian star Riyad Mahrez joined the chorus of well wishes, sharing a photo of Rayan on Facebook with the hashtag "Stay Strong".
One volunteer said told reporters: "We've been here for three days.
"Rayan is a child of our region. We won't leave until he's out of the well."
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The case has echoes of little Julen Rosello, two, who fell down a 250ft well shaft near Malaga, Spain, in January 2019.
Rescuers dug two tunnels in an effort to save him, but finally they found him dead after 13 days.
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