Rescue Operation Underway
Algerian Rescuers Use Heavy Machinery to Reach Boy Trapped in Deep Well
Anonymous
Key Points
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About 30 metres of soil had reportedly been dumped inside the well, adding another obstacle and making a direct descent even more dangerous.
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Civil Protection spokesman Karim Ben Fahsi said the rescue effort began around midday on Wednesday, with bulldozers, drilling equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles deployed to the site.
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The comparison with Morocco’s Rayan includes a tragic precedent: the five-year-old was trapped about 32 metres underground during a five-day rescue operation in February 2022 and was ultimately found dead.
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A medical team has remained at the scene so it can provide immediate assistance when rescuers reach Ayoub.
A 10-year-old Algerian boy named Ayoub fell into an 80-meter-deep well in the desert village of Brezina on Wednesday. Rescuers worked for four days to reach him, but CP24 reports the boy was ultimately found dead after becoming trapped in the narrow, 40-centimeter-wide shaft.
The well lacked protective covering, and about 30 meters of soil had been dumped inside, making a direct rescue impossible. CTV News said authorities decided to dig a parallel shaft and create a horizontal passage to reach Ayoub, while deploying bulldozers, drilling equipment, and medical teams to the remote site.
How the Boy Fell and Why Rescue Was Dangerous
Ayoub fell into the well while returning home after delivering food to his brother, who was tending sheep. Head Topics reported the wooden board covering the traditionally dug well collapsed beneath him. The shaft's narrow 40-centimeter width and unstable surrounding soil made a direct descent far too risky for rescuers.
The additional obstacle of 30 meters of soil already inside the well further complicated efforts. Civil Protection spokesman Karim Ben Fahsi said the rescue operation began around midday Wednesday with heavy machinery deployed to the remote desert location in El Bayadh province.
The Long Dig That Lasted Four Days
Rescue teams worked for four days using bulldozers, drilling equipment, and specialized machinery to dig a parallel shaft. The plan was to tunnel horizontally to reach Ayoub once they reached the appropriate depth. Medical personnel stayed on-site, ready to provide emergency care the moment rescuers made contact with the trapped boy.
Civil Protection officials had to deny false reports claiming the boy had already been found. The difficult terrain and unstable ground conditions meant every meter of digging carried risk. Despite the intensive effort and advanced equipment, the rescue operation ultimately ended in tragedy after four days underground.
A Grim Echo of Morocco's Rayan Case
Ayoub's tragedy mirrors the case of Rayan, a 5-year-old Moroccan boy who fell into a similar well in February 2022. CP24 noted that Rayan was trapped about 32 meters underground during a five-day rescue operation but was found dead. The comparison underscores the extreme danger posed by abandoned wells in desert regions across North Africa.
Both cases highlight the urgent need for well safety measures in rural communities. Traditional hand-dug wells with loose coverings and unstable soil present deadly risks, especially to children. The tragic outcomes of these incidents have drawn renewed attention to infrastructure safety in remote villages across the region.
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