Parents learn devastating truth after 'healthy' boy, 9, collapses and dies on holiday

Mattia Cossettini died in the early hours of January 6 (Image: Jam Press)

The family of a nine year old boy has been left devastated after learning the true cause of his death during a holiday in Egypt. Mattia Cossettini was on a boat trip with his parents and younger brother in Marsa Alam when he collapsed on January 5.

The Italian family, who had arrived for a week-long vacation on January 2, initially thought Mattia suffered from heatstroke after he complained of a severe headache upon regaining consciousness. He was treated by resort medical staff with an IV drip and medication but deteriorated overnight, suffering from vomiting, headaches, and seizures, leading to his admission to A&E where he tragically passed away in the early hours of January 6.

An Egyptian newspaper, Ahram, reported that the Red Sea Health Directorate confirmed on Friday that Mattia's sudden death was due to a pre-existing brain tumour, which was aggravated by pneumonia, causing complete cardiac arrest on Monday. The directorate detailed that Mattia was brought to the Marsa Alam One-Day Surgery Hospital in "a state of complete unconsciousness and clinical death."

A routine CT scan at an Egyptian hospital shockingly uncovered a brain haemorrhage in a young child, brought on by a tumour, as per a report by Ahram. Following the grim discovery, medical teams frantically worked to clear fluid from the child's air passages and tirelessly attempted cardiac resuscitation, but despite their best efforts Mattia died.

Mattia had turned nine in December (Image: Jam Press)

Sharing the devastating news on Facebook, the directorate commented: "The death was caused by complications from a brain tumour, which the child had already been suffering from before travelling to Egypt," reports The Mirror.

In pursuit of answers, local authorities, spurred by details from Italian agency Ansa, have kicked off an investigation into what could be a heart-wrenching case of misdiagnosis and delays in treatment. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, his father Marco revealed his bewilderment: "Mattia had gone into a coma. We're waiting to understand more."

In the wake of sorrow, the 41 year old father recalled his son, who had just celebrated his ninth birthday on December 23, as a beacon of healthiness: "My son has always been in great health. I can only say that he was perfectly fine until he fainted."

The family, facing an immeasurable loss and not wishing to publicise their plight as per Il Messaggero, were reportedly oblivious to any underlying ailment like a brain tumour afflicting Mattia. Lawyer Maria Virginia Maccari, representing the bereaved family, confirmed their return to Tricesimo in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, northern Italy. They are currently awaiting the repatriation of young Mattia's remains.

Mattia Cossettini with his dad Marco (Image: Jam Press)

Maccari conveyed to Italian media: "The parents returned to Italy late yesterday evening and are awaiting the return of the body, which has not yet been arranged by the Egyptian authorities. In this delicate phase, out of respect for the family and their privacy and that of the very young victim, we will not release any comment."

The youngster had a profound appreciation for the environment and firefighting, akin to his father's interest. During his campaign for the Youth Council last November, Mattia expressed a desire for a tidier town and greater environmental respect, stressing the importance of "more garbage bins along the streets and sanitary bags for animals."