"Boy has fainted, but is breathing; rescue efforts still on"

Efforts to rescue a three-year-old boy trapped in a borewell near here for over 48 hours continued on Sunday with officials saying the child has fainted, but was breathing.

They said that a rig, which could drill upto 100 feet, has been pressed into service to make a hole parallel to the borewell about three meters away.

After completion of the drilling a tunnel like structure would be created for the use of fire service personnel to reach the child with an oxygen cylinder, the officials said, adding that they were confident of rescuing the boy.

They said steps have been taken to prevent the child from falling down further from 90 feet.

A team of 25 rescuers was on the job on the advice of experts, they said.

Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister C Vijayabaskar and Tourism Minister 'Vellamandi' N Nagarajan, who have been camping at the site since Friday night, said all efforts were on to rescue the child.

Thousands of people have been praying for the well being of the boy and have been joined by celebrities and politicians.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a tweet said, "While the nation celebrates Deepavali, in Tamil Nadu a race against time is underway to save baby Surjeeth, who has been trapped in the borewell since Friday. I pray that he will be rescued and reunited with his distraught parents at the earliest."
Speaking to reporters at his residence here, Rajinikanth said, "I pray for the safe rescue of the boy."