Saturday August 10, 2024
Rescue teams use a crane to recover the body of a 5-year-old boy from a sewer in Las Anod, Somalia, on Saturday night. The boy, who had been trapped for two days, was pronounced dead at the scene. The rescue operation also claimed the life of a firefighter.
Las Anod (HOL) — The body of a 5-year-old boy who fell into an open sewer in Las Anod was recovered Saturday, ending a two-day rescue operation that also claimed the life of a firefighter. The boy, Ahmed Abdullahi Abdisalan Muse, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ahmed had been trapped since Thursday afternoon after he fell into an open drain while playing with neighbourhood children. The sewer's cover, a tin can and a stone, collapsed under his weight, sending him plunging into the drain.
"We did our best and used a lot of resources," said Mohamud Ahmed Adan, a local official who coordinated the operation. "I'd like to thank the rescue teams and the local administration for their help in successfully retrieving the body, though sadly, the child did not survive. We pray that Allah grants his family patience."
Adan also expressed gratitude to the firefighters, acknowledging the ultimate sacrifice made by one of them. "I'd also like to thank the firefighters, especially since one of them died during the rescue operation," he said.
The incident has left the Las Anod community in grief as residents struggle to come to terms with the double loss. Ahmed's father, Abdullahi Abdisalan Muse, spoke of his sorrow but maintained his faith. "Alhamdulillah, I still have 11 other children. Allah gave us this son, and now He has taken him back. Everything is a test."
The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to the lack of essential tools, such as pipes and ladders, which delayed recovery. However, the collective effort of the community and local authorities ensured that Ahmed's body was eventually recovered, allowing his family to lay him to rest.
Rescue workers dig through debris in a night-time operation to recover the body of a 5-year-old boy trapped in a sewer in Las Anod, Somalia. The boy, who fell into the sewer two days earlier, was found dead, and the rescue mission also resulted in the death of a firefighter.