Bagalkot (Karnataka): Six-year-old boy Thimanna, who fell in borewell on the outskirts of a village near here is feared dead, as foul smell of a decomposing body has begun emanating from the deep hole, a medical officer said on Wednesday.

"The foul smell emanating from the borewell is a sign of decomposition of Thimanna's body. It is a sign of death as he appears to have succumbed due to asphyxia (deficient supply of oxygen)," district medical officer B.D. Kittur told reporters at the spot even as rescue efforts continued for the fourth day Wednesday.