Indian rescue workers rescued a 10-year-old deaf-mute boy who had been stuck in a well for four days in central India on Tuesday evening, June 14, local authorities said.
Read alsoIndia: 13 dead after an accidental fall at the bottom of a well
The child named Rahul Sahu fell into a very narrow well 24 meters deep on Friday while playing in the backyard of his house in the central state of Chhattisgarh. The boy “was rescued, safely, thanks to everyone’s prayers and the tireless efforts of the rescue teamsaid the state’s chief minister, Bhupesh Baghel, on Twitter. Rahul Sahu”is alive but weakened” and was “rushed to hospitalin the neighboring district, local government chief Jeetendra Shukla told reporters. “A snake was spotted in the well, but the boy showed exemplary courage, remaining calm during the operation“, he added.
Earth-moving machinery and cranes helped dig a tunnel next to the well, with military assistance. Bad weather, but also snakes and scorpions, very hard rocks have notably hampered drilling operations and delayed rescue efforts, according to local authorities. During the operation, a camera was used to monitor the boy’s condition and movements, Janjgir district police chief Vijay Agrawal told AFP earlier today at the scene.
Read alsoAfghanistan: Boy stuck in well dies
Wells in Indian farming villages are the scene of frequent fatal accidents involving young children. In 2019, in the northern state of Punjab, a two-year-old child died in a well after four days of unsuccessful attempts to save him. The same year, a one-and-a-half-year-old child was rescued in the neighboring state of Haryana after being trapped for two days.