Condolences Pope Francis Praises Morocco's Joint Efforts To Save Rayan Awram Who Falls Into A 32 Meter Well

JAKARTA - Pope Francis on Sunday praised the Moroccan people for moving together to try to save a boy trapped in a well, saying he was saddened that their efforts were unsuccessful.

Rayan Awram, 5, fell into a well in the hills near the northern city of Chefchaouen on Tuesday, sparking a massive rescue effort that gripped the country and many people around the world. The child died before rescue teams could reach him on Saturday night

"People are united, as a whole, to save Rayan, they are working together to save a child," the Pope said during his weekly blessing in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican, citing Reuters February 7.

"(Helpers) tried their best, unfortunately they didn't work out, but it (was) an example," he continued.

Italians were especially moved by Rayan's story as it is similar to the tragedy in 1981, when rescuers tried to save the life of Alfredino Rampi, a 6-year-old boy who was trapped in a well for three days before he died.

Previously, dark skies covered Morocco. The country is deeply saddened. Just lost a boy named Rayan Awram who fell into a 32 meter deep well on Tuesday 1 February.

When the information on Rayan's fall into the well was reported, the SAR team immediately rushed over. Seeing the difficult terrain to be faced, a large-scale rescue operation was arranged.

The problem is that the characteristics of the well are not easily penetrated. The well was only 45cm (18 inches) wide at the top and narrowed further down, making it impossible for rescuers to descend directly.

It was a complicated and dangerous operation, constantly delayed by boulders and threatened by the threat of landslides.

Just 5 minutes, she was happy for 5 minutes. Her son passed away and moved to His Creator. You are the bravest mom in the whole world. Your tears describe every thing. We will pray for him. Don't worry, he is safe now. He is in a better place more comfortable place.#ريان #Rayan pic.twitter.com/owIIsTDI4t

— |Hussein| (@HusseinMe95) February 5, 2022

The first thing the rescue team did was to make sure that Rayan had enough oxygen and water. A camera was also lowered so that the team could continue to monitor in real time Rayan's condition.

This rescue operation was broadcast live on local television which became a national issue. Even on social media the hashtag #SaveRayan is echoing.

This operation involves fielding a number of heavy equipment. Dig the soil from the opposite direction slowly. When the distance is only 1.8 meters, the excavation is replaced by manual methods to minimize the worst.

The sweat and fatigue of the rescue team for days paid off. They managed to reach Rayan. But not the expected result.

Quoted from Al Jazeera Rayan Awram died before he could be saved. Devastating ending of a grueling operation. The royal palace said in a statement carried by state media that Rayan died before rescuers could save him.

"Following the tragic accident that took the life of Rayan's son, His Majesty King Mohammed VI telephoned the parents of the boy who died after falling from a well," the statement quoted Moroccan King Mohammed VI as saying, Sunday 6 February.