My boy of hope

Trapped lad now thriving after brush with death

- ANDY LINES

A little boy safe in his mother's arms was one of the few images of hope to emerge from a devastating day of horror.

Sonies Aawal was pictured on the front page of the Daily Mirror as we exclusively told of his incredible escape from the Nepal earthquake which killed 9,000 people 10 years ago this weekend.

Now, a decade on from the tragedy, we have found Sonies again - a bright, cheeky lad who loves football and dreams of one day visiting Britain.

As a five-month-old baby he was trapped beneath tons of rubble when the giant quake struck. His two cousins were killed and everyone was convinced Sonies had died, too.

But somehow, he survived - trapped under a fallen cupboard and was finally pulled to safety after 22 hours.

Incredibly, his family has managed to rebuild the house in which he so nearly died and are now living in it again.

Sonies, mercifully with no memories of his trauma, says simply: "My mum has told me all about it." But today he has far more important things on his mind. "I dream of visiting England one day," he says excitedly.

"I love football, especially Harry Kane.

My favourite team is Manchester City." Mum Rasmila, 45, smiles proudly at her rapidly growing son.

She never forgets how fortunate she was on the day horror came to Nepal.