Rayan, the five-year-old boy who was trapped in a well near Morocco’s Chefchaouen did not survive the trauma as his death has been announced by King Mohammed V1.
A statement from the royal cabinet confirmed the tragic news shortly after medical staff took Rayan outside of the well, reported Morocco World News.
Masses of people shared messages of compassion and condolences to the family of Rayan, also spelt as Rayane.
Rayan’s parents
Masses cried “Allahu Akbar” when the rescuers emerged with Rayane out of the rescue tunnel, with hope to see him alive.
King Mohammed VI made a phone call to express his condolences to the family of Rayane.
The royal cabinet statement said The Monarch expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to all members of the family.
The King said he was “closely” following the development of the tragic incident and issued instructions to all concerned authorities to take the necessary measures to save Rayane’s life.
The Monarch expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts of all authorities and public forces to attempt to rescue Rayane’s life.
The Monarch also lauded the strong solidarity and broad support all Moroccan citizens shared with Rayane’s family.
The death of Rayane shocked Moroccans and all who had been hopeful to hear good news from the conclusion of rescue operations.
Many shared condolences and heartfelt messages to support the deceased’s family and people who worked without rest to save the boy’s life.
Rest in peace, Rayane!
Earlier reports by Morocco World News, indicated the boy was rescued alive and was to be taken in an ambulance to the hospital.
But Reuters said the boy was not retrieved from the well alive.
Quoting two government officials, Reuters said the boy died before rescuers were able to reach him late on Saturday.
Footage posted on social media showed the scene after his body was recovered, with hundreds of distraught rescue workers and onlookers gathered at the site chanting to God and shining the flashlights of their phones into the air.
Rayan Awram, aged five, fell into the well at his village of Ighran in the hills near Chefchaouen on Tuesday, triggering a huge rescue effort that engrossed the country.
Rescuers finally reached him late on Saturday after removing much of the adjacent hillside and delicately tunnelling a horizontal passage into the well.
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