Younes returns to Italy: ‘Having him here feels like winning the Champions League’

After 30 days of waiting, six-and-a-half-year-old Younes is back in Italy. The child, who suffered serious injuries in an accident while vacationing with his family in Sharm El Sheikh, arrived in Turin overnight on a medical flight.

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His neurological condition is compromised, but our attitude remains positive.

He is now in intensive care at Regina Margherita Children's Hospital. His condition remains serious but stable. Dr. Simona Quaglia, part of the medical team that accompanied him during the transfer, said, "His neurological condition is compromised, but our attitude remains positive."

Younes's uncle, Mounsiff Rafia, waited for him on the runway at Caselle airport. After weeks of fear and uncertainty, the family's anguish gave way to emotion and relief. "We were facing a tragedy, but we never gave up. Being able to bring him back to Italy is like winning the Champions League. There are still many difficulties, but this is a first result. We still have to fight," he said through tears.

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We were facing a tragedy, but we never gave up. Being able to bring him back to Italy is like winning the Champions League. There are still many difficulties, but this is a first result. We still have to fight.

The return followed a complex coordination effort involving the Turin hospital, the medical staff who cared for Younes in Egypt, Reale Foundation, Flying Angels Foundation, ASL To4, Azienda Zero, the Italian Embassy and Consulate, and other authorities. Doctors arranged the journey after medical checks confirmed that the boy could travel.

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The return of Younes to Italy is the result of an extraordinary team effort among institutions, the healthcare system, the nonprofit sector and businesses: once again, it shows that cooperation between the public and private sectors can generate positive impacts on a large scale. Our thoughts are now with Younes and his family, with the hope that he can continue his treatment peacefully.

Virginia Antonini, general manager of Reale Foundation, described the operation as "the result of an extraordinary team effort among institutions, the healthcare system, the nonprofit sector and businesses." Rafia said the 30-day effort required messages, emails, certified communications, phone calls, documents and contacts between Italy and Egypt. He thanked the foundation, doctors, donors and people who prayed for the child.

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We are very grateful to Reale Mutua Foundation, the doctors, the people who donated and those who said a prayer.