JULEN UPDATE: Police believe excess earth was caused by boy’s fall

MEMBERS of the Guardia Civil’s Judicial unit said they believe the approximately 70 centimetres of soil found on top of Julen’s body was caused by the toddler’s fall and subsequent rescue attempts.

Officers said they had examined, “hours,” of footage taken by a robotic camera down the 71-metre borehole were the two-year-old died in January ahead of the release of laboratory analysis of soil samples.

Antonia Barba Garcia, the lawyer representing Julen’s parents, Jose and Victoria, said the results were, “fortuitous,” and revealed police had found the soil was made up of material from within the borehole.

Police told Spanish media they had reviewed 16 photographic files and 23 videos and revealed the inside of the well had, “hard areas with smooth walls and softer areas with loose rocks and sandy material.”

The Guardia Civil said this type of earth, “could be easily detached,” revealing the camera also caused, “small detachments,” on its descent.

Officers also revealed water leaks had caused the earth to become, “compacted, forming mud,” which also hindered rescue attempts to reach the boy.

As a negligent homicide investigation takes place over the death of Julen, the Izquierda Unida party in Totalan has demanded a commission looks into the existence of other allegedly illegal wells.

The assistant of Antonio Sanchez, the man reportedly responsible for drilling the borehole, is thought to have told police his boss told assured him he had covered the hole.

The man reportedly told police Sanchez said he had blocked the opening with a, “big, heavy,” stone, although he claimed he did not see this himself.

The assistant also reportedly told police he and his boss had begun work on the farm on December 13 and finished five days later.