The parents of Rayan Aourram arrive at the site after rescue teams found the boy's body at the bottom of a well in Morocco on Saturday. AFP
The parents of Rayan Aourram arrive at the site after rescue teams found the boy's body at the bottom of a well in Morocco on Saturday. AFP
The parents of Rayan Aourram arrive at the site after rescue teams found the boy's body at the bottom of a well in Morocco on Saturday. AFP
The parents of Rayan Aourram arrive at the site after rescue teams found the boy's body at the bottom of a well in Morocco on Saturday. AFP

MENA

Morocco prepares to bury little Rayan, who died trapped in a well

The child’s fate drew global attention after he fell down narrow 32-metre shaft last Tuesday

The National

February 07, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Morocco prepared on Monday to bury “little Rayan”, the five-year-old boy who died after falling into a 32-metre dry well and remaining trapped there for five days.

An emergency operation carried out in an attempt to rescue him captivated the world.

The child’s fate drew global attention and sparked an outpouring of sympathy online.

The funeral is to be held in Rayan's home village of Ighrane, in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco where the tragedy took place, a local official and a relative told AFP.

“The silence is terrible this morning in the village,” the relative said.

On Saturday night, crowds had cheered in joy when rescue workers reached Rayan after a round-the-clock digging operation, clearing away the final handfuls of dirt.

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

But joy turned to grief as news spread that the rescue was too late and Rayan was dead.

The news was announced by the royal court of the North African nation, after King Mohammed VI called the parents to convey his condolences.

“We thank his majesty the king, the authorities and all those who have helped us,” Rayan’s father Khalid Aourram said. “Praise God, have mercy on the dead.”

Rayan’s body was taken to a military hospital in Rabat, a cousin said, although no report has been given of any postmortem.

The race to rescue Rayan was followed live around the world, and tributes began to pour in as soon as its tragic conclusion was announced.

Mr Aourram said he had been repairing the well close to the family home when his son fell in on Tuesday.

The shaft, just 45 centimetres across, was too narrow for rescuers to reach Rayan directly, and widening it was considered too risky.

Search crews first used five bulldozers to dig vertically to a depth of more than 31 metres, Morocco’s official MAP news agency reported.

Then on Friday they started excavating a horizontal tunnel to reach the trapped boy. Experts in topographical engineering were called upon for help.

Large crowds came to offer their support, singing and praying to encourage the rescuers as they worked.

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Updated: February 07, 2022, 9:47 AM
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