TIRUCHIRAPPALLI: Rescue operations continued for the third day on Sunday to bring out a three-old boy, who fell into an abandoned borewell near here, as special prayers were held across the Tamil Nadu for the safe return of the child. A parallel borewell is being dug. An advanced drilling rig from Nagappattanam is used for this.

State 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.

The boy had fallen into the borewell on Friday while playing near his house and rescue operations had started around 5.30 p.m.

Initially the boy was stuck at a depth of 26 feet but later drifted further to over 90 feet.

The drilling began at 6 in the morning. As it is a rocky place, it is difficult to drill even with advanced machinery. The authorities say that only a maximum of three feet can be dug per hour and it is an intense challenge.

Meanwhile, one drilling machine encountered mechanical failure. If the current rescue operations falter, an attempt will be made using robotic arms. The govt is facing public outrage as the rescue operations gets further delayed. Two ministers have camped to organize the rescue operations. The chief secretary is also at the spot.