Afghan boy trapped in well for 3 days dies after rescue

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) – A seven-year-old Afghan boy who was trapped in a well for three days in Zabul province in the south of the country has died despite efforts to rescue him, a senior Taliban leader said on Friday.

"Haider is no more with us, it's another big tragic news for our nation today," tweeted Anas Haqqani, a key leader of Afghan Taliban and younger brother of acting Interior Minister Sirajudding Haqqani.

Haqqani and acting Defense Minister Mawlawi Muhammad Yaqoob, who along with other Taliban officials arrived in Zabul on Thursday, were monitoring the rescue efforts.

Earlier, the state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported that rescue forces have pulled out the child but his condition is serious.

Later, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the boy was pulled out, but he lost his life.

Videos shared on social media showed that local authorities dug a big tunnel to reach the trapped boy and pulled him out. However, the digging took long hours because of the unavailability of modern rescue equipment in the war-torn country.

An earlier video showed the boy stuck inside the well but able to move his arms and upper body.

“Are you okay my son?" his father can be heard saying. "Talk with me and don't cry, we are working to get you out.”