Rayan rescue: Hero workers pull boy, 5, from Morocco well after 100hrs trapped 100ft down – but his condition is unclear

A LITTLE boy who fell down a well has been freed after more than 100 hours entombed in the dark. Rayan, five, has been trapped in a tiny 18-inch space 100ft below ground since midday on Tuesday. A little boy trapped down a well has finally be freed and rushed to hospital ReutersRayan was rescued after more than 100 agonising hours[/caption] Huge crowds have gathered at the site where the five-year-old vanished Rayan’s bleeding face is seen after a camera was lowered into the well Rescuers immediately launched an astonishing effort to free him. The lad’s condition is not yet known. Officials had warned there is “no certainty” he was still alive – and it was “impossible” to know more until he was freed. However, it was tentatively suggested tonight that the boy would live. People around the world have been gripped by the mission, which was agonisingly halted for several hours over fears of a cave-in. Crews had lowered a camera, oxygen and water down a rope to reach the injured youngster. It’s not known if he was able to use them. Heartbreaking photos show him bleeding at the bottom of the shaft. Thousands of locals, including his parents, 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. 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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. 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.” Doctors and a helicopter are on standby to take him to hospital. Rayan went missing while playing in his home village Ighrane in Chefchaouen province on Tuesday afternoon. There were chaotic scenes tonight as Rayan was carried to an ambulance Cheers rang out as he was loaded inside the vehicle and driven away The youngster plunged to the bottom of an 100-foot shaft in Chefchaouen, Morocco AFPThe most dangerous part of the rescue mission began today after fears the well could collapse[/caption] APDiggers cleared enough earth earlier for a smaller tunnel to be dug towards Rayan[/caption] 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.” 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.” 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. AFPThis afternoon, rescuers said they were just feet away from the lad[/caption] AFPHundreds of people gather around the watch the rescue mission[/caption] AFPRayan’s plight has got a whole nation cheering for his safe return[/caption] AFPWorkmen now need to clear earth to get to Rayan[/caption] Rescuers lowered water and oxygen 100ft down the narrow shaft where he is trapped