Well Digger Hailed as Hero in Tragic Moroccan Boy Rescue Attempt

This fifty-year-old, father of four children, was applauded on site and on social media as a "hero" for his contribution to the rescue operation of little Rayan, who accidentally fell into a 32-meter deep dry well since last Tuesday. Ali Sahraoui, a well digger residing in the Erfoud region, was contacted by Rayan’s uncle to assist the rescuers.

"My profession is based on the digging and maintenance of water wells. I am usually assisted by one or two companions and we work manually," Sahraoui explained to SNRT News, mentioning the risks of his job, including collapses and soil subsidence. "We have already witnessed fatal accidents caused by the collapse of the earth. That’s why we remained very vigilant when we were digging," he added.

For Sahraoui, the story of little Rayan is not an isolated case. Several children before him have accidentally fallen into deep wells or holes. "We have already saved, with my team, a little boy who had fallen into a well. He lives in Erfoud, and is doing well," the well digger recounts.

Unfortunately, Rayan will not have the same fate as this child. He passed away on Saturday, after spending five days in this dry well whose narrowness, added to the nature of the soil in the region, did not facilitate the rescue of the little boy. Millions of people in Morocco and around the world have been touched by Rayan’s story. As soon as his death was announced, King Mohammed VI sent a message of condolences to his parents.