Moroccan authorities and firefighters work to rescue Rayan.Photo: AFP via Getty

efforts to rescue Rayan, a Moroccan boy trapped in a well

Rescue efforts remain underway to free a 5-year-old boy who has been stuck in a 100-foot-deep well for three days.

The boy, whose name is Rayan, fell into the well on Tuesday afternoon, according to theNew York Times. The well is located near his home in a small village in northern Morocco.

Since then, rescuers have used machines to help dig a parallel path to the boy — as thousands have tuned in to watch via livestreams, according to theTimes. Meanwhile, others have arrived at the scene to watch the rescue unfold in person.

Citing state-run news agencyMaghreb Arabe Presse, the newspaper reported that the drilling progress was temporarily paused as the operation reached its “final stages” Friday evening.

Moroccan authorities and firefighters work to rescue Rayan.AFP via Getty

efforts to rescue Rayan, a Moroccan boy trapped in a well

Local outletLe360 reported that two rescuers, who are just inches away from Rayan, have started manually digging, according to theTimes.

“This stage is the most important and most complicated one,” a rescuer told the outlet, per theTimes, noting that they had to continue to be cautious in their efforts due to the “chance of collapse” — which has been an ongoing concern.

Members of the Moroccan civil defence work to rescue Rayan.AFP via Getty

efforts to rescue Rayan, a Moroccan boy trapped in a well

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As rescue efforts continue, people around the world are sharing their prayers and hopes for the boy and his family with the hashtag #SaveRayan on Twitter.

“Stay strong,” wrote one social media user, as another added, “Please save this child.”

source: people.com