While the entire Arab world eagerly anticipates good news from Morocco regarding the rescue of child Rayan from the well, information coming from there is cautious, especially after authorities announced that the situation has reached critical hours.
In a statement to "Al Arabiya," Dr. Talal Nasouli, a professor of immunology, allergy, and asthma at Georgetown University, revealed that Rayan can survive in his current condition for about 5 to 6 days. He emphasized that children typically have immunity to such situations, allowing them to stay alive for approximately that duration. He stressed that the most critical need for Rayan at this moment is access to drinking water rather than food, affirming that children can last nearly 5 days without water. He also highlighted the necessity of providing ventilation openings for the child to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen essential for his survival.
The most crucial point the doctor emphasized is lighting. He stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient light for Rayan to feel safe and alleviate the fear of the place, which will certainly affect his condition negatively. He explained that anxiety can counteract exactly what the child needs today. Regarding similar incidents, he noted that the United States has dealt with such cases by tying a person and lowering them into the well under appropriate conditions to reassure the child that chances of survival exist, thus calming his heart, which is indeed what happened with Rayan.
As for the rescue operations, they have been ongoing for over two days. A reporter from "Al Arabiya/Al Hadath" stated earlier today that the only remaining way to save the child lies in excavators digging a path through the soil from the opposite side of the well, to pull him out from the side opposite to where he fell to avoid soil collapse. He emphasized that the biggest challenge facing rescue teams is the risk of soil collapse, along with the extremely narrow well opening, which makes it impossible for any rescuer to descend to retrieve the child.
It is noted that Rayan went missing last Tuesday afternoon after going out to play near his home, with his father confirming that he was accustomed to playing in that area, and the well was covered. Additionally, the shocked father expressed hope in an interview with Al Arabiya for his son's safe retrieval, thanking the entire country of Morocco for standing by him during this ordeal.
