A Moroccan official statement confirmed Saturday the death of the child, Rayan Oram, after his body was recovered from a well in which he had been stuck for five days.

In an official statement, the Moroccan Royal Court announced that "King Mohammed VI called the parents of the boy who died after falling down the well" and expressed his condolences and sympathy to all members of the family.

RIP ANGEL 👼🏼🙏🏼 #RAYAN pic.twitter.com/7GqWYvwjzL

— Samir Salamoun (@SamirSalamoun) February 5, 2022

The Moroccan King also expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the authorities and public forces, as well as the strong solidarity and broad sympathy that showered the child's family.

Two government officials indicated that the child, who had been trapped in a well in northern Morocco for five days, died before rescuers could reach him late Saturday.

On Tuesday, five-year-old Rayan fell into a well in the hillside village of Igrane, near the city of Chefchaouen, triggering a massive rescue operation that attracted worldwide attention.

A little boy connected people all over the world. Rest in peace, little angel 🙏🏻#Rayan #الطفل_ريان pic.twitter.com/9ZrVwNAjLz

— Leen (@leenaladwani) February 5, 2022

Rescuers were eventually able to retrieve his body late Saturday after removing a wide section of the hill adjacent to the well in a long, complex, and painstaking operation.

For his part, Moroccan journalist Mohamed Said Soussi told Al Mayadeen that extensive efforts were exerted to save Rayan but to no avail, adding that during the first three days, Rayan was responding and resisting death.

Soussi explained that the operation was very complicated, and the rescue team worked in an epic manner, pointing out that unofficial leaks suggest that Rayan passed away on Friday.