Laura Bashraheel Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – The Civil Defense in Tabuk has announced the death of a six-year-old girl who fell into a well on Friday although rescuers have still not recovered her body. The incident sparked a debate on Twitter on whether the Civil Defense is equipped and trained for such accidents and how abandoned wells should be checked and covered for people's safety. One man tweeted saying a similar incident happened a few years back and the Civil Defense was only able to find the victim's body after 12 days. Other people tweeted prayers and words of support for Lama's family. According to reports, the victim, identified as Lama, fell into the 100-meter deserted well while playing with her younger sister when the family went for a picnic. On the sixth day, the Civil Defense announced her death after a massive rescue operation. On Tuesday, Colonel Mamdouh Al-Enizi, spokesman for Tabuk Civil Defense, said after almost reaching Lama, officers were struck by a severe wind that impaired their vision in the well and added to the difficult terrain conditions that had already delayed the operation. Lama fell 30 meters down the well. People reportedly heard her crying and screaming for help but then the cries stopped. Her father Ayed Al-Rouqi said the valley where he had the picnic did not seem to have any wells and Lama was playing with her younger sister when she disappeared. The father contacted the Civil Defense immediately and the search started. The well was drilled by a farmer looking for a water source many years ago but it has since been neglected.
