Rescue workers now just SIX FEET from boy, 5, trapped in a 100ft well for 96 hours as desperate parents watch on

RESCUE workers are now just six feet from a five-year-old boy who has been trapped in a 100ft well for some 96 hours. Rayan has been stuck in the narrow shaft since midday on Tuesday at midday as crews using earth movers have frantically tried to dig down and save him. APDiggers have now cleared enough earth for a smaller tunnel to be dug towards Rayan[/caption] AFPThe most dangerous part of the rescue mission is about the begin[/caption] Rayan’s bleeding face is seen after a camera was lowered into the well Pictures show Rayan, five, bleeding at the bottom of the shaft as digging was agonisingly halted over fears the ground is unstable. The images were taken by a camera on a rope that rescuers used to lower oxygen and water to the injured boy down the narrow passage. Pictures show hundreds of anxious locals – including his parents – gathered to watch the dangerous and complex rescue mission. The complex operation has gripped Morocco for days – but rescuers hope the end could be in sight. Diggers have now cleared enough earth for workmen to start digging horizontally towards Rayan to rescue him. The boy remains trapped as of midday local time on Saturday. “We’re almost there,” said one of the operation’s leaders, Abdesalam Makoudi, on Friday afternoon. Most read in News 'NEW LOW' PM's foes aim to bring him down with 'deeply unpleasant' attacks on wife Carrie FLACK'S EX JAILED Caroline Flack's ex fiancé JAILED after harassing Dan Wootton FREE RANGE Farmer who flipped car with a forklift is CLEARED after 'defending his castle' ROYAL CREEP ‘Sweaty’ Andrew cozies up to socialite as daughter Beatrice was at same party 'DOUBLE KILLER' Man charged with murdering SECOND woman before he 'killed mum & burnt body' STANDING BY HER Husband of teacher still with her a YEAR after she's jailed for teen sex “We’ve been working non-stop for three days and tiredness is kicking in, but the whole rescue team is hanging on.” The shaft is less than 18 inches across and narrows lower down – too small for anyone to navigate – and widening it was deemed too risky. So heavy machines were brought in to excavate a trench in an effort to reach the boy from the side and pull him free. Digging continued all through last night lit by floodlights – but was delayed due to safety fears. Experts said it was feared the layers of rock and sand are unstable and could collapse in on the boy. The bulldozers have already dug to a depth of over 100ft, rescuers said. Now preparations are being made for the most dangerous part, digging a horizontal 10ft tunnel. Engineers are on site to assess the risk of landslip and advise on the best method. “The child’s rescue is approaching,” government spokesman Mustapha Baitas said. “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. 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] 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”. 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. Rescuers lowered water and oxygen 100ft down the narrow shaft where he is trapped Heavy diggers have dug 100ft down to try to reach the boy from the side The dangerous recsue mission continued through the night lit by floodlights Rescuers have been working flat-out for three days in northern Morocco Engineers halted digging fearing the earth could collapse on the trapped boy