Death of Moroccan boy sparks global solidarity, revives faith in humanity

People from different nationalities and religions expressed sympathies and solidarity with the family of a Moroccan boy who lost his life in a 32 meter well before he was pulled out following a tireless rescue effort.

Since Tuesday, when the five-year-old Ryan fell into the well, Morocco spared no effort to save one of its own, deploying a rescue team that first tried to get into the well to save the boy but failed due to the narrowing diameter of the well from 45 centimeters at the top to about 20cm in the bottom.

The kid was stuck in the 32-meter-deep water hole and he was seen moving in a camera until Friday when rescuers said he was lying on his side and it was difficult to guess his health condition.

Water and oxygen were piped to him as rescuers labored to remove a hillside racing against the clock to save his life before they started on Friday digging a 5-meter-long tunnel to reach him, proceeding cautiously so as not to trigger a landslide.

The rescue effort caught the attention of Moroccans following live feeds and watching updates on TV before it become a global saga.

Crowds traveled to the village and volunteers offered to help rescue the little child who brought the best in Moroccans.

His death was a shock to millions who held their breath as the boy was pulled out from the dark well.

King Mohammed VI offered in a phone call his condolences and sympathy to the parents of Ryan.

Pope Francis praised the Moroccan people for “putting their all” into trying to save him.

“[The rescuers] tried their best, unfortunately they did not make it, but that [was] an example.”

Condolences and compassion were expressed by Heads of State, including President Emmanuel Macron and Dubai Ruler Mohammed Bin Rachid Al Maktoum, ambassadors, political figures, international organizations, artists…for his family, the rescuers, the authorities and all the Moroccan people.

Social media was full with expressions of sympathy from around the world and in all languages with Ryan who brought united people from different countries and religions.

His ordeal and the global attention it grabbed was a reminder of the universal human values of solidarity.

Before the referee gave kick off signal of the African Cup final, Egyptian and Senegalese players held a minute silence in tribute for the Child and many football clubs expressed sympathies on their social media.

Ryan has left us and Moroccans labored till the last minute to save him. The boy died but he revived faith in humanity.