Zee TV Report / Pic NDTV
Shahbad (Haryana), July 23: Army and civil authorities have sought the aid of Mumbai fire force in rescuing a five-year-old boy struck in a 53-feet tubewell at a village here since Friday, an operation that was reviewed today by Chief Minister Bhoopinder Singh Hooda at the site.
The child, Prince, fell into the deep, narrow pit left uncovered by labourers in Haldheri village on Friday evening while he was playing.
Hooda who visited the spot, said heavy machinery was being brought from Mumbai in an air force plane and a team of experts from the fire brigade was on its way here.
"The administration is leaving no stone unturned to bring the child out safely, which is our first priority. We are even in touch with experts in London and Holland and have explained the situation to them. We are getting feedback from them as well," Hooda told reporters.
He was accompanied by Kurukshetra MP Navin Jindal and local MLA K L Sharma State Agriculture Minister H S Chatha and briefed by officials on the operation.
Rescuers were trying to pull the child to safety by through a parallel tunnel that was dug yesterday, but were proceeding slowly given the delicate nature of their task.
There was some rain in the area yesterday, which affected rescue efforts, but it had stopped now.
Today is Prince’s birthday, who appeared, in pictures beamed by a close circuit camera lowered into the pit, to be holding out well.