Worldwide outpouring of support as hundreds attend funeral for boy, 5, who died in well

7 February 2022, 16:52 | Updated: 7 February 2022, 17:23

Hundreds of people attended Rayan's funeral
Hundreds of people attended Rayan's funeral. Picture: Getty

By Asher McShane

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to the Moroccan boy who died on Saturday after a four-day effort to rescue him from a well that sparked an outpouring of support from millions around the world.

Five-year-old Rayan Awram fell into the well in Ighran village on Tuesday. Rescuers excavated much of an adjacent hillside and then tunnelled toward the bottom of the 100ft deep well.

Rayan's body was finally pulled out late on Saturday evening, to the devastation of his parents, rescuers, and thousands of people watching around the world.

Rayan, 5, died days after falling into a well in Morocco
Rayan, 5, died days after falling into a well in Morocco. Picture: Social Media

The boy’s parents visited the scene of the dig. His father said: “We want to thank all the people who have helped us. They authorities and everyone, many thanks to them.

Rayan died despite a huge rescue effort to dig him free
Rayan died despite a huge rescue effort to dig him free. Picture: Getty

“Praise god, may he have mercy on the dead."

His mother said: “This was destined for us, praise God. I thank you all for everything, praise God.”

Hundreds of mourners today climbed the unpaved road leading to the cemetery in Ighran, near Chefchaouen in northern Morocco, where they waited for hours for the funeral to observe the Muslim burial rituals.

“I am over 50-years-old and never seen as many people in a funeral. Rayan is the son of us all,” one villager said.

The father of five-year-old Rayan receives condolences during the funeral of his son
The father of five-year-old Rayan receives condolences during the funeral of his son. Picture: Getty

“Rayan’s death has renewed faith in humanity as people in different languages and from different countries express solidarity,” another villager said.

Even the Pope acknowledged the rescue effort saying it was "beautiful" to see how many tried to rescue him.

He expressed thanks to the Moroccan people as he greeted the public in St Peter's Square on Sunday. He praised people for "putting their all" into trying in vain to save the child.

Morocco's royal palace said on Saturday night, shortly after Rayan was pulled out of the 32-metre deep well, that he had died.

Pope Francis said that amid the world's bad news, it was "beautiful" how Morocco's people rallied for Rayan in a rescue operation that captured the world's attention.

"We're used to seeing, reading in the media, so many ugly things, ugly news, accidents, killings," the pontiff said.

But it was "beautiful" how, in Morocco, an entire people clung to one another in a bid to save Rayan, Francis said.

On Saturday night, King Mohammed VI also hailed the rescuers for their relentless work and the community for lending support to Rayan's family.

Hundreds of villagers and others had gathered to watch the rescue operation in the village of Ighran in Morocco's mountainous northern Chefchaouen province. The child had been trapped in the narrow well since the evening of February 1.

Rayan's plight struck a sad chord in Italy. In 1981, a six-year-old boy fell into a narrow well in the countryside outside Rome, eventually plunging 60 meters.

Volunteers heard him cry as they dug down in parallel in what ended as a futile three-day bid to save him. Hundreds of people gathered around the rescue site and millions watched the efforts on state TV.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'All hell will break out': Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'should be axed' if Hamas doesn't free all hostages on Saturday

Matar is accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie

Man accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie says 'Free Palestine' as he is led into court

Israeli captive Eli Sharabi was handed over on Saturday

Hamas delays the release of hostages 'until further notice' over claims Israel violated ceasefire deal

Donald Trump has said he is working on a plan to broker a deal to bring an end the war in Ukraine

Trump's Russia-Ukraine plan explained: How the US President intends to end the war

Keith Kellogg has reportedly told allies he is preparing 'end of war' options to present to Donald Trump

America's Russia-Ukraine envoy preparing 'end of war options' to present to Trump

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Mystery grows over couple found dead in rural France as friends reject murder-suicide theory

Three Israeli Hostages Released As Part Of Ceasefire Deal

Abuse suffered by Hamas hostages during their 500 days in captivity revealed

Garda

Man arrested after several people stabbed in Dublin

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing

easyJet flight forced to make emergency landing after pilot collapses on board

Donald Trump has spoken to Vladimir Putin

Trump confirms he 'spoke to Putin about ending war in Ukraine' as Russian president 'wants to see people stop dying'

displaced Gazans walking toward Gaza City on January 27, 2025, after crossing the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops withdraw from key militarised corridor that splits Gaza in two as part of ceasefire deal

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday afternoon.

Mysterious death of British couple in French villa suspected murder-suicide as investigators consider new theories

David Schwimmer has called for Elon Musk to ban Kanye West from X

Friends star David Schwimmer calls for Kanye West to be banned from X over 'hate-filled, ignorant' remarks

The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA.

All major parts of DC plane and Black Hawk helicopter involved in mid-air collision recovered, investigators confirm

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting