Heartbreaking wait continues for Sajid as rescuers lower cameras into 200ft borewell

Rescue efforts continued intensively on Thursday in Tanore of Rajshahi, as fire service teams once again lowered cameras into the narrow borewell in a bid to locate two-year-old Sajid, who fell into the abandoned shaft Wednesday afternoon.

The camera was deployed at around 12:15 pm on Thursday. 

Fire Service Director Lieutenant Colonel Tajul Islam, speaking at the scene, explained that the borewell is approximately 200 feet deep and just 8 inches in diameter. 

"There is no technology anywhere in the world that can immediately rescue someone from such a deep hole," he said. "For safety reasons, we are digging a parallel shaft and conducting searches. Even in developed countries, operations like this can take 75-78 hours."

He added that initial camera attempts reached 35 feet without sighting the child, but teams have now managed to probe down to 45 feet using advanced equipment. 

"We are employing the highest technology available, and there has been no systematic error," Lt Col Tajul Islam assured.

Sajid fell into the uncovered borewell around 1:15 pm on Wednesday while playing in a paddy field in Dhankhar Koelhat Purba Para village. 

The toddler has been trapped for over 24 hours, with oxygen being pumped into the shaft to sustain him.

Five fire service units are involved in the operation, which involves excavating a nearby pit and tunnelling towards the borewell. 

Two smaller excavators arrived from neighbouring Mohanpur upazila around 8:00 pm Wednesday, followed by a high-powered machine at 1:45 am, accelerating soil removal.

Local residents have expressed frustration over delays, criticising administrative inefficiency. "If a larger excavator had been brought from the start, the rescue could have been much quicker," said Nazmus Sakib, a villager.

Abdur Rauf, Station Manager of Tanore Upazila Fire Service, responded: "We searched for equipment locally but none was available in Tanore. We then sourced machines from Mohanpur and progressed rapidly once the larger excavator arrived. We hope to complete the rescue within hours."

The entire community remains on edge, with hundreds gathering at the site to pray for Sajid's safe recovery. The operation is ongoing.