A 10-year-old Indian boy has been rescued after he fell down an 80-foot well and spent five days trapped underground — sharing the space with a snake and a frog, officials said.
Rahul Sahu, who is both speech- and hearing-impaired, had fallen into a borewell while playing in his family’s yard in the village of Pihrid in Chhattisgarh State Friday afternoon.
Some 500 officials from India’s National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, district administration and army were called in to rescue the child.
The operation to save the special-needs boy was hampered by poor weather conditions, rocky terrain and the presence of venomous critters at the site, including snakes and scorpions.
During the 104 hours that Sahu spent in the muddy well, he was supplied with oxygen through a pipeline and was given a banana to eat.
10-year-old speech-and-hearing-impaired Indian boy Rahul Sahu was rescued five days after falling into a well in his family’s yard. AFP via Getty ImagesRescue crews equipped with earth movers and robots were able to dig a 70-foot pit parallel to the well, reported Hindustan Times. A 15-foot-long tunnel was then constructed to link the pit with the well to conduct the boy to safety.
After finally resurfacing Wednesday, the 10-year-old — who appeared awake and alert — was greeted with cheers and applause from the rescuers.
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel tweeted that Sahu only had “a snake and a frog to keep him company” during the harrowing ordeal.
It took 500 officials from various Indian rescue agencies to rescue Rahul Sahu. AFP via Getty ImagesSahu was then transported to a hospital, where he was listed in a stable condition. He remained in the ICU under specialists’ observation but was expected to recover.
“Today the whole of Chhattisgarh is celebrating,” Baghel tweeted. “We all wish for his return from hospital soon. Congratulations and thanks again to all the team involved in this operation.”
Calling Sahu “brave” and “synonymous with courage,” the minister promised that the government will take care of the boy’s medical treatment and education.
With Post Wires






