Dubai’s leaders have sent their condolences after the tragic loss of Rayan, the five-year-old Moroccan boy who fell down a well four days ago and became the subject of a daring rescue mission.
“Our sincere condolences to the family of Rayan and to the Moroccan people and to all humanity that was devastated by his loss,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai on Twitter.
“May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant us patience and solace.”
Efforts to save the young boy’s life were extensive and caught the minds and hearts of people across the world after Rayan fell 32 meters through the well’s narrow opening in the city of Chefchaouen.
After hampered efforts for fears of a landslide, Rayan was finally brought out of the well Saturday night, which brought immediate joy to those who had made #SaveRayan a trending topic across the world, followed by crushing heartbreak.
Soon after, an official statement was released.
“Following the tragic incident which claimed the life of the child Rayan Aourram, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God preserve him, had a telephone call with Mr. Khaled Aourram and Mrs. Ouassima Kharchich, parents of the deceased who died after he fell into a well,” a Moroccan royal statement said.
“In these painful circumstances, His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, expressed His deepest condolences and His sincere feelings of compassion to all the members of the family of the deceased in this painful ordeal, the divine will being unstoppable, praying the Almighty to have him in His holy mercy and accept him in His vast paradise, and to grant patience and comfort to his family who lost their child,” it added.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, also paid tribute to the late Rayan.