An unusual accident occurred on the evening of March 20, 2019, when a little boy named Nadeem Khan was playing and suddenly fell into a deep well near his home in Balsamand village, located in Hisar district, Haryana, northern India.
Challenges During the Rescue Operation
Upon receiving the report of the accident, Indian authorities quickly dispatched rescue teams to the scene. However, the military and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local officials, faced numerous challenges during the rescue operation.
For instance, the unauthorized borewell was over 18 meters deep, with an opening only large enough for the 18-month-old child to fit through. Additionally, a large number of curious villagers gathered to watch the rescue, inadvertently obstructing the rescue teams’ efforts.
How Was the Rescue Conducted?
Overcoming various obstacles, the mixed rescue team in India implemented several strategies to safely rescue the child.
First, the rescue team lowered oxygen into the well and provided the child with biscuits and fruit juice.
Next, they deployed a surveillance camera to the bottom of the well. The images transmitted back indicated that Nadeem Khan was stuck with his back facing the well opening.
A GPS locator device was also placed inside the borewell to track the child’s exact position. Once the location was determined, the rescue operation was expedited.
The Hindustantimes (India) reported that the rescue team used two excavators to dig another hole approximately 21 meters deep, about 5 meters away from the borewell where the child had fallen.
The rescue team successfully saved the 18-month-old boy from an over 18-meter deep well in Hisar, India, on March 22, 2019. (Photo: HT)
What Preparations Were Made for the Rescue?
During the rescue of Nadeem Khan, Indian authorities made extensive preparations for the scenario of retrieving the child from the well.
Specifically, they mobilized two ambulances along with a medical team on standby at the accident site. Additionally, the authorities cordoned off the road to ensure that the ambulances could quickly transport the victim to the hospital.
As a result, after being trapped for more than 47 hours in the deep well, Nadeem Khan was successfully rescued. The boy was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment and was discharged just a few days later without any injuries.
