Spanish rescuers start drilling to reach toddler trapped in well

World
Europe

Rescuers in southern Spain began drilling on Saturday in a bid to rescue a two-year-old boy trapped in a deep well for six days.

The mission to save the child has triggered an outpouring of public support as rescuers struggle with the challenge of bringing heavy equipment up steep access roads and reaching the toddler safely.

"We are incredibly motivated to reach him as soon as possible. We're not bothered by the hours, the tiredness or the lack of sleep," said Angel Vidal, the lead engineer overseeing the rescue, on Saturday.

Pieces of a drill are seen at the area where Julen fell into a deep well six days ago in Totalan, January 19, 2019. /VCG Photo

"We are hopeful that we will reach him as soon as possible and bring him back to his parents," he added.

The boy, Julen, fell into the borehole, which is just 25 centimeters (ten inches) wide and 100 meters (109 yards) deep, as his family walked through a private estate in Totalan, Malaga.

Officials have been unable to find signs of life but say they are working on the basis that the child is still alive. Video footage shot by firefighters and released by Spanish broadcaster Canal Sur shows a blockage around 70 meters into the well which has prevented rescue services from sending food or water to the child.

Officials show an excavation map during efforts to find Julen in Totalan, January 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Trucks brought drilling equipment and giant pipes to the site on Friday. Drilling of the first of two tunnels that will be made to reach the boy began at around 3 p.m. local time and will take around 15 hours, officials said.

Once the first tunnel is completed, rescuers will begin working by hand to construct a second shorter tunnel to reach the area where the boy is trapped, which will take a further 20 hours.

Residents of the town have held vigils for Julen and in support of his family.

Maria Guarrochena, 36, gestures with her dogs next to a banner that reads "Be strong Julen! Totalan is with you", at the area where Julen fell into a deep well six days ago in Totalan, January 19, 2019. /VCG Photo

Spanish media say the boy's parents suffered another tragedy in 2017 when their three-year-old son died suddenly of health problems while walking along a beach.

"Be strong, Julen. Totalan is with you," read a handmade banner hung on the roadside near the rescue site.

"We are living some incredibly difficult hours for relatives, friends and neighbors (of the family) and we want to send them our support in this moment," said government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa on Friday at a news conference.

Source(s): Reuters