Rescue efforts, which are still ongoing, have reached a very advanced stage, local authorities told MAP, noting that it is difficult to determine the time needed for the end of the operation, due to the nature of soil remaining to be dug in the horizontal gap which connects the well and the parallel hole.

A medical helicopter of the Royal Gendarmerie and medical staff specializing in resuscitation have been deployed on the scene, in order to take care of Rayan after being rescued, said the same source.

The response and rescue teams have remained on the scene since they learned about the incident and encountered several difficulties, including landslide and the presence of boulders in some layers, the same source said.