Hope and joy turned into heartbreaking minutes later when the Royal Court statement announced Rayan’s death.
Rayan Omran, a five-year-old Moroccan boy, was trapped in a well for five days. The boy inadvertently fell 32m (104ft) through the well’s narrow pit.
This tragedy had gripped the country, with hundreds of people thronged at the well and millions more following the incident online.
On social media, people used the hashtag #SaveRayan, which had been trending worldwide on social media platforms.
The rescuers worked day and night to save the little boy, but fears of a sabotage in the area where Rayan was stuck slowed down their efforts.
Rescuers provided Rayan with oxygen through an opening in the well and introduced a camera to monitor his progress.
However, rescuers started digging horizontally to reach the boy. Some worked round the clock, using powerful floodlights during the night.
Several volunteers tried to help, Imad Fahmy, a volunteer with the Red Crescent, managed to go down 28 mt, but he couldn’t help him out. But had managed to communicate with the child, who was responsive.
No sooner had Rayan Oram been freed on Saturday evening than the followers of the incident relapsed in sorrow.
Moroccans held their breath for Rayan after the Royal Court statement. This tragedy draws sympathy from people worldwide.
The statement from Morocco’s Royal Palace described Rayan’s death as a “tragic incident,” adding: “His Majesty King Mohammed VI made a personal phone call to the parents of the boy who died after falling down the well.”
Thousands of Moroccans took to social media to sympathize with the boy and his family.
Social Media users left messages of condolences for the boy’s family and praise for the rescuers.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a Facebook post: “Tonight, I want to tell the family of little Rayan and the Moroccan people that we share their pain.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, vice president of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, offered his condolences to Rayan’s family.
“Our sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the child Rayan and the brotherly Moroccan country and to all humanity that grieved for his loss,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.
Clubs and players expressed condolences to the family of Rayan Oram. Abderrazak Hamdallah, a Moroccan football player, has offered to buy an equipped house for the family of Rayan; besides, Dounia Batma, a Moroccan singer, also announced that she is donating money to the family of the deceased boy.
Rayan had left, but his story will always remain in our hearts. His tragedy shows that the country can be united to work under one banner.
Sad news, thanks for information