A heartbreaking tragedy occurred in Dausa district, Rajasthan, where a five-year-old boy, Aryan, tragically lost his life after being rescued from a 150-foot-deep borewell. Despite the tireless efforts of rescuers during a grueling 55-hour operation, Aryan was rushed to the hospital unconscious, only to be declared dead shortly upon arrival.
The devastating incident unfolded on Monday afternoon in Kalikhad village, when Aryan, while playing in a field, accidentally fell into the open borewell at around 3 PM. Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, the rescue operation was immediately launched. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) worked around the clock, employing all available resources in a desperate attempt to save him.
The Complex Rescue Effort
The operation faced numerous challenges, which significantly hindered progress. The visibility of the cameras used to monitor Aryan’s condition was obstructed by steam rising from deep within the borewell, while the water level, which reached approximately 160 feet, posed further complications.
To rescue Aryan, a parallel pit was dug using heavy machinery, including an XCMG 180 piling rig. Rescuers supplied oxygen to Aryan through a pipe, while utilizing cameras to guide their actions. However, the extreme depth of the borewell and the risks to the safety of the rescue personnel added to the complexity of the operation.
NDRF Commandant Yogesh Kumar shared, “The biggest challenge was reaching 150 feet, after which the depth posed a danger to rescuers. We had to descend with protective gear to retrieve the child.”
A Sobering Wake-Up Call
This heartbreaking incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by open borewells, which remain a hidden threat in rural areas. Just a few months ago, in September, a two-year-old girl was rescued from a 35-foot borewell in Bandikui, Dausa, following an 18-hour operation. She had fallen into the borewell at a depth of 28 feet, and rescuers had to dig a parallel tunnel to pull her out.
Aryan’s tragic death highlights the critical need for more stringent measures to secure and seal abandoned borewells, which continue to pose a severe risk to children despite growing awareness and safety campaigns. These recurring incidents underscore the importance of not only preventive actions but also immediate, well-coordinated rescue efforts to mitigate the risks associated with such hidden dangers.
The loss of Aryan has left the community shaken, and local authorities have pledged to implement further measures to ensure the safety of children. While rescue teams did all they could, the incident calls for enhanced vigilance and proactive steps to protect vulnerable populations from such perilous accidents. The tragedy has spurred discussions about the urgent need for increased regulation and enforcement to close off unprotected borewells, a measure that could potentially save countless lives.
