A 10-year-old boy in south-western Algeria is fighting for his life after falling into a narrow, dry well while delivering lunch to his brother, who was tending sheep.
The accident occurred when Ayoub walked across a wooden board that suddenly collapsed, plunging him into an 80-metre-deep well that was only 40 centimetres wide.
The traditionally dug well lacked protective casings and was further complicated by soil that had been dumped inside, reaching a depth of around 30 metres.
Rescue operations involve Algerian Civil Protection teams equipped with specialist personnel trained for challenging terrain, heavy excavation machinery and well-inspection cameras. A medical team is also on site to provide immediate assistance once rescuers reach Ayoub.
Due to the well's narrow width and the instability of the surrounding soil, a direct descent was deemed too dangerous. Instead, rescuers adopted a strategy of digging a parallel shaft towards the spot where Ayoub is believed to be trapped, before carefully excavating a horizontal tunnel to reach him from the side.
Each stage of the operation requires meticulous execution to prevent the surrounding earth from collapsing.
A spokesperson for Algeria's Civil Protection, Karim Ben Fahsi said rescue efforts began around midday on Wednesday with a large deployment of equipment, including bulldozers, drilling machinery, ambulances and specialist rescue teams.
Ayoub's ordeal has drawn comparisons with the tragic case of Rayan, a five-year-old Moroccan boy who fell into a deep well in Chefchaouen province in February 2022. Trapped around 32 metres below ground, Rayan's plight captured the attention of millions during a gruelling five-day rescue operation.
Sadly, the operation ended in heartbreak when Rayan was found dead.
Now, similar rescue efforts are under way in Algeria as teams continue to dig through layers of earth and rock, driven by hope and determination to bring Ayoub safely back to the surface.
&uuid=(email))