After days of rescue efforts, a child has died after being trapped in a well. The 5-year-old Moroccan child, Rayan Awram (variously spelled Oram or Aourram), was pulled from the well in Chefchaouen, Morocco, on February 5, 2022.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco offered condolences to Rayan's family in a phone call, according to a statement from the Royal Palace. "Following the tragic accident that claimed the life of the child Rayan Oram, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, made a phone call to Mr. Khaled Oram, and Mrs. Wassima Khersheesh, the parents of the deceased who passed away, after falling into a well," the statement said.
Rayan fell into the well on Tuesday afternoon. He landed more than 100 feet underground. His father had reportedly been trying to repair the old well.
The boy was discovered when passersby heard crying, his mother said in an interview. From there, rescue efforts began.
The child's mother said that he had been playing nearby before he disappeared. The boy's father said that food and water were sent down to him.
"He was moving, and drank a little bit of water. I believe he will be okay, God help him," he said.
Authorities said that the rescue would be difficult due to the nature of the soil. They also had to use machinery because the diameter of the well was so small at just about a foot and a half wide.
Rescue teams encountered multiple issues while struggling to get Rayan out alive. The challenges of the soil led to a landslide, as well as boulders being uncovered in the soil as digging continued.
"People who love us are sparing no effort to save my child," the boy's father said on Friday, the day before his child's lifeless body was pulled out.
Hundreds gathered for the boy's funeral this week, which took place in the hills of northern Chefchaouen. The child's coffin was draped in a green sheet covered with Koranic scriptures.
Mounir Mourid, who lives nearby, said that the village has been shocked by Rayan's death. “Rayan is carved forever on our hearts,” he said. “It’s like he shone a light on the situation in our region."
