The Independent
Two-day rescue of 'Prince' trapped in well grips India By Simon Usborne Published: 24 July 2006
A two-day rescue mission that captured the imagination of millions of Indians, ended late yesterday when soldiers in the northern state of Haryana rescued a child who had been wedged 18 metres down a bore well for more than 50 hours.
The boy, known only as Prince, emerged apparently unhurt from the hole to be greeted by thousand of onlookers and politicians who had gathered to pray for his safe delivery. They were joined by millions of television viewers watching live broadcasts from the site in the village of Aldeharhi.
The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was said to be following the story closely and some television reports said the influx of politicians asking for updates delayed the rescue effort. Before Prince's rescue, an Indian news agency quoted an official in the premier's office as saying: "The Prime Minister prays for the speedy rescue and good health of the young boy who has been trapped. We will take full medical care of the boy on his rescue."
Prince, who was six on the day of his rescue, had been playing near the irrigation shaft on Friday when he fell through an empty sack which shielded the entrance to the 60ft hole. He plunged to the bottom of the well, which is just wide enough to take a child but too narrow for an adult.
Villagers were alerted to his plight only when they heard his wails. After police failed to retrieve the boy, they called in the army. For two days, soldiers used their hands to clear mud from a disused well 10 metres from the shaft, careful not to use heavy machinery that might dislodge loose soil.
Meanwhile, news networks beamed haunting images of the child to viewers worldwide. Zee News began covering the story on Saturday and soon millions were captivated. Throughout Saturday night, concerned viewers bombarded the station's offices with messages of sympathy and support. Some children had asked to speak to Prince.
Yesterday, most television channels scrapped their schedules to follow the rescue effort live as soldiers pumped oxygen down the shaft. Early yesterday Prince could be heard pleading with his father, waiting to be rescued. Later he reassured his father that he was feeling all right, as rescuers sent milk and chocolate, along with biscuits and tea made by his mother.
Once the rescuers reach-ed the required depth, they burrowed towards the shaft, eventually breaking through. They brought the boy back through the tunnel and up the abandoned well to daylight and safety, cheered by well-wishers.
Prayers for Prince had been held in temples, mosques and churches across India. Shashi Jain, a caller to Zee News, said: "May God add the remaining years of my life to this little boy's life."
A two-day rescue mission that captured the imagination of millions of Indians, ended late yesterday when soldiers in the northern state of Haryana rescued a child who had been wedged 18 metres down a bore well for more than 50 hours.
The boy, known only as Prince, emerged apparently unhurt from the hole to be greeted by thousand of onlookers and politicians who had gathered to pray for his safe delivery. They were joined by millions of television viewers watching live broadcasts from the site in the village of Aldeharhi.
The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was said to be following the story closely and some television reports said the influx of politicians asking for updates delayed the rescue effort. Before Prince's rescue, an Indian news agency quoted an official in the premier's office as saying: "The Prime Minister prays for the speedy rescue and good health of the young boy who has been trapped. We will take full medical care of the boy on his rescue."
Prince, who was six on the day of his rescue, had been playing near the irrigation shaft on Friday when he fell through an empty sack which shielded the entrance to the 60ft hole. He plunged to the bottom of the well, which is just wide enough to take a child but too narrow for an adult.
Villagers were alerted to his plight only when they heard his wails. After police failed to retrieve the boy, they called in the army. For two days, soldiers used their hands to clear mud from a disused well 10 metres from the shaft, careful not to use heavy machinery that might dislodge loose soil.
Meanwhile, news networks beamed haunting images of the child to viewers worldwide. Zee News began covering the story on Saturday and soon millions were captivated. Throughout Saturday night, concerned viewers bombarded the station's offices with messages of sympathy and support. Some children had asked to speak to Prince.
Yesterday, most television channels scrapped their schedules to follow the rescue effort live as soldiers pumped oxygen down the shaft. Early yesterday Prince could be heard pleading with his father, waiting to be rescued. Later he reassured his father that he was feeling all right, as rescuers sent milk and chocolate, along with biscuits and tea made by his mother.
Once the rescuers reach-ed the required depth, they burrowed towards the shaft, eventually breaking through. They brought the boy back through the tunnel and up the abandoned well to daylight and safety, cheered by well-wishers.
Prayers for Prince had been held in temples, mosques and churches across India. Shashi Jain, a caller to Zee News, said: "May God add the remaining years of my life to this little boy's life."