'Desperate' drive to rescue two-year-old
Hopes of finding Julen alive dwindle after 13 days down a dry well
HOPES of finding two-year-old Julen Rosello, the two-year-old who fell down a dry well almost 13 days ago, alive are dwindling as rescuers had still be unable to reach him at the time of going to press yesterday (Thursday).
As reported in Costa Blanca News last week, Julen fell down a 70-metre well that was only 25 centimetres wide on in Totalán (Málaga) on Sunday, January 13.
The rescue attempt is focused on a parallel access shaft that which will eventually see mining rescue teams access the narrow well at that depth.
However, the drilling process has encountered several setbacks and granite rocks delaying the operation.
Experts admit that carrying out a three-month engineering job in just one week aroundthe-clock is inevitably going to be an obstacle course - but the chances of finding Julen alive are slimmer by the hour.
On Tuesday, the shaft proved too narrow to place the protecting tube to guarantee it did not cave in on miners when they were able to drop down in a purpose-made cage. Drillers had to return to the scene to perforate a wider shaft that took another 12 hours to complete.
On Wednesday another rock found further down again postponed the operation, but in this case the tube to be inserted to make the shaft safe was narrowed and finally put in place overnight.
The mining rescue team was not able to be lowered into the shaft until yesterday.
At the time of going to press, the mining rescue team was working on digging a fourmetre long tunnel from the rescue shaft to the dry tunnel where Julen is expected to be found - hopefully still alive.
Hopes still remain high and speaking yesterday a rescue team member said: "Tonight will be the last Julen spends down the well."
Work on the access tunnel is expected to take around 24 hours with eight miners taking turns to dig and support the access tunnel.
A special ventilation system has also been prepared to ensure dust particles do not put the rescue team's lives at risk.
A medical helicopter has been on standby at the site since Wednesday night.
Julen's parents have been receiving psychological support throughout their ordeal and local residents in Totalán have opened their homes to rescue teams and volunteers, while they have also prepared meals and refreshments for them.
An estimated 300 people have been working on the rescue operation.