From #SaveRyan to #RIPRyan: A tragic timeline of events

Millions around the globe express their sincere sympathies on social media platforms

Following the heartbreaking news of the death of the five-year-old Moroccan boy who fell into a dry well, the hashtag #RIPRyan trended on international Twitter.

Images and videos of the young boy are being circulated by heartbroken netizens. Millions around the globe express their sincere sympathies to Ryan’s parents across social media platforms.

5yr-old Rayan rescued after being trapped 32 meters deep in a well in Morocco for over 5 days has just died 😭

Can't even begin to imagine the fear,hunger,loneliness & suffering that poor toddler must have gone thru 💔#RIPrayan #Moroccan #SaveRyan #RIPryan #rayyan #rayanmaroc pic.twitter.com/symbNTBaVq

— AlexCam (@followalexcam) February 5, 2022

I'm so sorry that you suffered sweet angel #ripRyan pic.twitter.com/zENSuJuRGp

— the lonely witch🥀 (@HindoxL) February 5, 2022

February 1:
In a tragic incident, five-year-old Ryan Oram fell into a 32-metres-deep well on February 1 in Northern Morocco. Terrified and isolated, Ryan fought for his life in the dark dry-water well for five days.

"In a moment of inattention, he fell into the well I was repairing. I couldn't sleep at night," Rayan's father told the media.

A close relative of the family also told the media, that the boy’s parents first realised he was missing when they heard muffled sounds of crying from the well. When a torchlight was shown on him, Ryan cried to his parents from the bottom of the well and asked them to lift him up.

While Rescue teams appeared to be hopeful about their endeavours to save the boy, the hashtag #SaveRayan and its Arabic translation started trending on Twitter a day after the boy had fallen into the well.

We brought him back to his mother to comfort her eyes and not grieve. Oh God, I Rayyan replied to his mother 🤲 #ChildRyan #SaveRyan #SaveRyan pic.twitter.com/8i4CtfhQa6

— غزة الآن - Gaza Now (@ranaahmed2929) February 4, 2022

February 5:

Restricted by the narrow diameter, rescue workers were unable to dissent directly into the well. Hence, they began digging a plot of land parallel to the well. As the rescue workers began digging around the well in hopes of saving the boy, images of the incident went viral on social media. The hashtag #sauvezrayan (in Arabic) was among the top Twitter trends by Thursday.

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1ZkJzbpkMLWJv

With the ongoing rescue mission, Ryan was located via cameras and was provided with water and oxygen through tubes to sustain him until the rescuers could dig and get him out.

As news spread, crowds began to gather around the well where Ryan lay. A vigil was set up near the area where the rescue teams worked. People followed closely and prayed intently for Ryan’s survival.

Moroccans who could not make it to the scene followed the rescue efforts on television and social media. The news spread to bordering countries such as Algeria where hashtags related to Ryan began to trend on Twitter. Everyone held their breath and prayed passionately for Ryan’s survival.

February 6:

When the rescue teams were finally able to reach Ryan, people rejoiced and took to Twitter to express their relief. Hundreds of rescue workers chanted to God as they pulled Ryan out of the deep well. The video of Ryan being rescued after 100 hours of dedicated struggle and desperate prayers went viral on social media as well.

Ryan was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance as soon as he was rescued. As the boy lay in the hospital, fellow citizens and netizens continued to pray for his survival.

However, hours later the Moroccan Royal court declared the 5-year-old Ryan dead.

Just a few minutes ago, the world was overwhelmed with joy and now tremendous grief. Heartbroken. I’m so sorry, Rayan. May Allah grant you the highest rank in Jannat ul Firdaus and grant your parents sabr. Ameen. #SaveRayan pic.twitter.com/V1X39xwnyS

— Miraal 🌙💫✨ (@kaalakawwa234) February 5, 2022

He unified the humanity and then left. In moments of joy and sadness,he showed us that regardless of our creed or ethnicity,we will stand together. RIP #Rayan. Our thoughts &prayers R with his loved ones(family,Morocco,the world). U may be gone but U will never be forgotten#ريان pic.twitter.com/pfM6TQ3mPL

— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) February 5, 2022

Very sad for death of #Rayan, my condolences to his family & all #Morocco. The news of death of Rayan broke hearts of millions around the world. Meanwhile world conscience MUST be shaken to death of thousands of children by starvation & bomb of #UAE & #SaudiArabia in #Yemen#ريان pic.twitter.com/EZhKpC01RB

— Mahmoud Refaat (@DrMahmoudRefaat) February 5, 2022

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai tweeted: “Our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of Rayan... to Moroccan people… and to all humanity that grieved over this loss. May Allah bless his soul in eternal peace and grant us all patience and solace.”

King Muhammad also phoned the boy’s parents to express his deepest condolences. Citizens of the country and many others around the world grieved over the young boy’s tragic death. 

The story of young Ryan emerged on Twitter with many praying for his survival and many others hopeful that rescue teams would be able to save the young life. However, Ryan’s life ended in tragedy leaving millions heartbroken.