Algerian rescuers continue searching for 10-year-old boy trapped in well
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The rescue operation for 10-year-old Algerian boy Ayoub has entered a highly sensitive and complex stage as civil protection teams continue their efforts for the fourth consecutive day in El Bayadh province, according to reports from Algerian media.
Specialized teams have begun entering the tunnel being dug parallel to the original well.
Field reports issued as of Saturday morning said Civil Protection had deployed additional personnel, with one rescuer descending to a depth of nearly 30 meters to begin horizontal manual digging toward the location where the boy is believed to be trapped.
لليوم الرابع .. فرق الإنقاذ تواصل جهودها لإجلاء الطفل أيوب بالبيض وسط ظروف صعبة pic.twitter.com/5RVt1CZkxU
— EL BILAD - البلاد (@El_Bilade) September 5, 2026
The excavation is proceeding with extreme caution because of the surrounding soil and rock conditions and the risk of collapses that could endanger both the rescue crew and the trapped child.
Meanwhile, Civil Protection has categorically denied rumors circulating on social media that the boy has been found or that the operation has ended.
The incident occurred around 12:15 PM on Wednesday, September 2, when 10-year-old Ayoub fell into a traditional dry well in the village of Al-Rukn, part of the municipality of El Ghassoul in Brezina district.
The fall occurred as Ayoub was returning after delivering food and water to his brother.
A wooden plank covering the well opening collapsed beneath him.
The well is approximately 80 meters deep and no more than 40 centimeters in diameter.
It is not lined with a casing and is filled with soil to a depth of about 30 meters, making direct access to the boy extremely dangerous.
The boy's father told reporters that he rushed to the site after hearing what had happened.
He called out to his son, who responded while crying and pleading for help, saying, "Dad, get me out."
Rescue teams then lowered a flashlight to him, which he picked up himself.
The father said voice contact was lost after efforts to remove the soil began.
However, rescue teams and the family continue to hope that the boy is still alive.
Ayoub's case has become a matter of widespread public concern, prompting broad solidarity across Algeria under the slogan "Save Ayoub."
Residents from surrounding areas have been gathering at the site to help, while the local community endures agonizing moments as it follows the complex horizontal excavation operation, which has drawn comparisons to the tragedy of Moroccan boy Rayan.
