The 5-year-old boy, identified only as Rayan, was retrieved by rescue teams from the well on Saturday but did not survive his ordeal, state media reported.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco offered condolences to Rayan’s family in a phone call, according to a statement from the Royal Palace.
“Following the tragic accident that claimed the life of the child Rayan Oram, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, made a phone call to Mr. Khaled Oram, and Mrs. Wassima Khersheesh, the parents of the deceased who passed away, after falling into a well,” the statement from the Royal Palace said.
Rayan fell into the well Tuesday afternoon and was discovered after he was heard crying, his mother said in an interview with state-owned Al-Aoula TV two days later. She said he was playing nearby before he disappeared, and that she was quick to call authorities after finding out what had happened.
A report from state media outlet MAP noted earlier that it would be difficult to determine the time needed to complete the operation, due to the nature of soil remaining to be dug in the horizontal gap which connects the well and the parallel hole.
A medical helicopter of the Royal Gendarmerie and medical staff specializing in resuscitation were also deployed to the area earlier, to take care of Rayan once he was rescued, local authorities told MAP.
Authorities used machinery in the difficult operation because the diameter of the well was only just over a foot and a half wide, Al-Aoula reported. Local media also reported that the child had taken food and water that was dropped down to him using a rope.
“People who love us are sparing no effort to save my child,” Rayan’s father said as he stood watching rescue efforts on Friday night, Reuters reported.
The man told Al-Aoula that he could see his son in the well. “He was moving, and drank a little bit of water. I believe he will be okay, God help him,” he said.
