Published 22:15 IST, October 27th 2019
Thousands pray for Sujith; rescue operations underway since 48 hours
It's more than 48 hours & rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF are still underway; thousands pray for the safe rescue of 2-year-old Tamil Nadu boy Sujith
More than 48 hours and the rescue which is still underway, thousands pray for the safe rescue of 2-year-old Sujith. Sujith fell into the 600 feet bore well on Friday evening, around 5:30 PM. He initially was trapped at the depth of 26 feet, and later in the night, he slipped even further due to the slippery walls and went down to the depth of 90 feet which caused further complications for the rescue team. Various rescue teams, including the individuals who found sophisticated equipment to rescue the child tried rescuing Sujith, but couldn't do it since he fell deeper, where the diameter is just 4 inches.
Rescue operations underway
"We haven't heard the Sujith's voice from yesterday morning since he went deeper, but we are pushing oxygen down," said Vijayabaskar, Health Minister who is on the spot since the incident took place. The NDRF and the SDRF teams, who reached the spot yesterday evening have been trying to rescue the child by digging a parallel bore well, even further to 100 feet to rescue Sujith. Various agencies including people from NLC (Neyveli Lignite Corporation) mines and ONGC are coordinating with the rescue teams to drill a new pit. An earth-moving machine named Rig is on the spot since last night to dig a borewell to 100 feet, with a diameter of 1 meter. But the driller collided with a strong rock structure at 17 feet today morning which came as a hindrance for the rescue team. They've brought another machine which can penetrate into the rock surface to reach beneath the level where Sujith is struck.
A six member SDRF team is ready with all the gadgets to get into the new pit to rescue Sujith, but digging a new well has become difficult as the structures down are solid and it is raining on and off throughout day and night. Trampoline sheets have been spread and the whole area is sealed with cement bags to make sure that the rainwater doesn't get into the borewell. The rig machine has been trying to dig a pit for 12 hours but has delayed because of various other natural forces. Meanwhile, many people have been praying in several parts of the state today for the safe rescue of Sujith. People gathered at temples, churches and mosques and at many other places to conduct special prayers for the safe recovery of 2-year-old Sujith, despite being a Sunday and also a festival day. "I pray God for the safe recovery of Sujith, government officials are making all the efforts to save the child," said superstar Rajinikanth today.
MNM chief Kamal Haasan said, "Government should levy heavy fines and consider it as a crime when people do not close borewells, this rescue operation should become a success." Cricket player Harbhajan Singh has also tweeted in Tamil, saying "Even I have a baby, I can understand the pain of Sujith's parents, you will come back Sujith, that will be the real Diwali for all." The second rig machine which reached the spot this noon has started penetrating the rock structures in the ground, to reach the depth of 100 feet as the rescue team is all ready to get into the ground. The government has also asked the people of Nadukattupatti village to cooperate the officials and teams fully to pave way for the vehicles which are reaching the spot for the rescue ops.
Updated 23:01 IST, October 27th 2019