Excavators dig deep to save a five-year-old boy who accidentally fell into a 40-meter-deep dry well in Mengchang Village of Hebei Province, Nov. 6, 2016. (Photo/CFP)
(ECNS) -- Large excavators, a medical team and other assistance have been sent to rescue a five-year-old boy who accidentally fell into a 40-meter-deep dry well Sunday morning in Mengchang Village of Hebei Province.
The rescue team got to 13 meters from the well's bottom after digging two days, with the boy still to be reached, according to the latest report.
Operations have been slowed thanks to the soft soil. "The ground is too soft for big machines to work; and the well is loosened and can collapse any minute while digging. We must carefully secure it with nets to protect the child," said Pang Zhi, rescue team leader.
A probe was used several times to detect the child's position but failed due to unclear visual imagery. In the meantime, oxyen has been constantly piped into the well as well as some food and water supplies.
The five-year-old boy's grandparent said he remained unattended when the family worked on their farm and he possibly fell into the well during this time.
Descending ground water levels have left many village wells deserted across Heibei Province, causing potential danger, according to locals.
