The search for 8-year-old Khizir Derbichev, swept away by a powerful river current in Ingushetia, has been ongoing for eight days now. Since early morning, a new shift of volunteers entered the cold waters of the Sunzha River and continued combing the area in hopes of finding the little hero who dared to risk his life to save his friend.

The rescue operation is clearing debris blockages, the largest of which was discovered near the Chechen village of Samashki. The search area has been expanded to the Chechen Republic, where local services are involved.

The tragedy has resonated widely beyond Russia. Observers admire the unity of the peoples of the North Caucasus: tens of thousands of volunteers from Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan, and other regions of the district are searching for the boy. Residents of Palestine and many other countries are worried about the little hero, making du'a and supporting the family.

The tragedy occurred on June 15 on the banks of the Sunzha River. Khizir was relaxing with his friends when one of the boys fell into the raging current. The child managed to cling to a branch, but was unable to get out on his own. Khizir jumped into the water to help his friend. Adults soon arrived and rescued the boy, but Khizir himself was swept away by the swift current.