Algerian boy Ayoub found dead after four days trapped in well

Algerian authorities have announced the death of 10-year-old Ayoub and the recovery of his body today, four days after he fell into an artesian well in the village of Raqna, Ghassoul municipality, El Bayadh province in the southwest of the country.

Algeria's Civil Protection said in a statement: "Following the rescue operation for a child who fell into a dry artesian well in the area known as Raqna village, Ghassoul municipality, El Bayadh province, the child's location has now been found and his body recovered."

The statement added: "Civil Protection, together with local authorities and all relevant agencies and private parties, mobilized all available human and material resources for this operation."

Ayoub, aged 10, fell into the dry well on Wednesday. The well is about 80 meters deep and less than 40 centimeters wide, making the rescue operation extremely challenging.

According to Asharq, Ayoub's father, Mohamed Hadef, previously described the incident, saying his son fell into the well after stepping on a rotten wooden plank covering it.

He added: "When I reached him and started calling 'Ayoub, Ayoub,' he replied, 'Dad, get me out,' and began to cry. I told him not to cry, that Civil Protection would come and rescue him," noting that rescue teams began digging while continuing to talk to the boy.

The rescue operation faced major difficulties due to the nature of the soil in the area, forcing teams to proceed with extreme caution.