Saleh Sheikh, an 8-year-old child, was trapped in a 40-50 meter deep shaft. Videos of villagers and rescue teams attempting to rescue the child from the water flooding the well were shared on social media, but their efforts were in vain. The child lost his life following 11 hours of rescue attempts, as reported by the website syriahr.com.
The rescuers had only basic tools for digging artesian wells, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the child was in a critical state of health before succumbing to the lack of oxygen.
The tragedy is reminiscent of the fate of Rayan, a Moroccan child who died in February 2022. Rayan accidentally fell into a 32-meter deep, narrow, and difficult-to-access dry well dug near his family’s home in the village of Ighrane, in northern Morocco. After five days of strenuous rescue efforts, a deep crevice and horizontal tunnel were dug to save the boy, but he unfortunately did not survive. His death shook the world.
Saleh Sheikh, 8, was stuck 40-50 meters deep in the shaft. In videos posted on social media, dozens of villagers and rescue teams are seen trying to pull the child out of the water flooding the well, but to no avail. After 11 hours of effort, the child died, reports the site syriahr.com.
To read: Morocco: following Rayan, two other deaths in a well in Al Hoceima
The rescuers have only rudimentary tools used to dig the artesian wells, explained the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding that the teenager was in a critical state of health before his death. He didn’t have enough oxygen to last long.
To read: After Rayan, Haidar dies in a well in Afghanistan
This scene recalls the sad fate of the Moroccan child Rayan, who died in February 2022. The 5-year-old boy had accidentally fallen, on February 1, 2022, into a dry well 32 meters deep, narrow and difficult to access, dug near the family residence in the village of Ighrane, in the province of Chefchaouen, in northern Morocco. After five days of effort, the rescuers managed to drill a huge deep crevice and then a horizontal tunnel to save the boy. Unfortunately, little Rayan did not survive. His death shocked the whole world.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by abandoned and poorly secured wells, as well as the need for better safety regulations and emergency rescue protocols. Rayan and Saleh’s deaths are heartbreaking and preventable, and we must do better to prevent similar incidents in the future. Our deepest condolences go out to the families and communities affected by these losses. May their memories serve as a call to action for stronger safety measures and greater awareness of the risks associated with abandoned wells.
