The body of an eight-year-old boy who lost his life while rescuing a friend from drowning has been found in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia, ending a large-scale search operation that involved more than 20,000 people.
Russian news outlet BAZA reports that the body of Khizir Derbichev was discovered approximately 10 kilometers from the site where he disappeared.
The tragedy occurred on June 15 in the village of Yandare, located in Ingushetia’s Nazran district. Khizir was near a river with two friends when one of the boys was swept away by the current.
Witnesses say the eight-year-old immediately jumped into the water and managed to save his friend. However, after bringing the boy to safety, Khizir was himself caught by the strong current and carried away.
His disappearance prompted an extensive search operation involving emergency responders, volunteers and local residents. For several days, thousands of people participated in efforts to locate the child.
The discovery of Khizir’s body brings an end to the search and has sparked an outpouring of grief across the region, where the young boy has been widely remembered for his courage and selflessness.
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