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Algeria: 10-year-old boy found dead after 4-day well rescue
A four-day rescue operation in the El Bayadh province of Algeria has ended in tragedy following the death of 10-year-old Ayoub Hadef. The boy fell into a dry, traditional artesian well in the village of Errokn, located in the municipality of Ghassoul, after stepping on a wooden board that covered the opening.
The well was approximately 80 meters deep with a narrow diameter of only 40 centimeters. Due to the extreme constraints and the risk of soil collapse, the Algerian Civil Protection agency, in coordination with local authorities and technical experts, had to employ complex methods to reach him. This included digging a parallel shaft and attempting to create a horizontal passage to access the boy's location.
Despite the mobilization of heavy machinery, specialized units, and significant human resources, the boy was recovered deceased on Saturday evening. The incident has sparked widespread national mourning and renewed public debate across Algeria regarding the safety and regulation of unsecured traditional wells in rural and agricultural areas.
Entities
Algerian Civil Protection · Ayoub · Ayoub Hadef · El Bayadh · El Gasour · El Ghassoul · El Rokn · Er-Rokn · Ghassoul · Noureddine Belarbi · Nourredine Belaâribi