A British holidaymaker left fighting for his life after his throat was randomly slashed in an Egyptian supermarket has thanked MailOnline for saving him – after our story about his plight embarrassed authorities into covering his medical bills.
Relieved Belgin Seitmola, 34, is slowly making a miraculous recovery after the horrific attack before Christmas – which forced him to spend his birthday in a coma.
In an emotional interview, which took place over text message due the extent of his injuries, the Romanian-born IT engineer said: ‘Without your help I would have died.
‘Thank you God and the doctors who resuscitated me.’
Belgin, from Luton, Bedfordshire, was attacked in the popular tourist resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.
Police have since informed him that a suspect has been caught.
He had not taken out travel insurance and begged for public help as he launched a £25k fundraiser to help pay for a life saving operation and medical care.
After we revealed his heartbreaking story last month, in which his mother Omer Sena claimed Egypt is not a ‘safe place for tourists’, the authorities made a u-turn.
Belgin Seitmola, 34, was left fighting for his life in Egypt after a random attacker slashed his throat in a supermarket
The Romanian-born IT engineer, who lives in Luton, Bedfordshire, has thanked MailOnline for saving him after our story about his plight embarrassed authorities into covering his medical bills
Belgin is slowly making a miraculous recovery after the horrific attack before Christmas – which forced him to spend his birthday in a coma
Relieved Belgin, who had been unable to pay his own bills, said: ‘The Egyptian government said they are going to pay for everything, my treatment, and maybe the repatriation.
‘I thank them for doing this and to MailOnline for helping me too. My story has made them change their mind.
‘Without your help I would have died.’
From his hospital bed Belgin, who can still not talk but can now swallow after vital surgery, said: ‘They don’t want to lose Brits coming here as a holiday destination.’
He vowed: ‘I’m never going to travel without travel insurance, you never know what will happen.’
Belgin underwent a tracheotomy operation which later infected his chest and momentarily stopped his heart.
He spent his birthday on December 28 in a coma after being put into assisted, mechanical ventilation.
Touchingly, his mum and hospital staff still celebrated the occasion at his bedside, singing Happy Birthday, and bringing cakes and cards onto the ward.
Belgin was brutally attacked on December 6 during a sunshine pre-festive break in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh
Belgin is looking to raise £25,000 to assist with his medical bills and psychological support
He said: ‘I couldn’t celebrate my birthday as I was in a coma. I wanted to celebrate and my family and doctors made a video for me instead.
‘My situation is very bad, I almost died, I am all tubed up and still cannot talk properly. I am very tired.’
Belgin, who has no children, told how he was still ‘in shock’ and traumatised but brutal stabbing on December 06 which he described as a ‘senseless act of violence.’
He said: ‘Even when a person known to me approaches I feel I should refuses them because I get scared.’
The graduate information security engineer is hoping he may be well enough within weeks to be repatriated to Britain.
He said: ‘I need repatriation. I’m not sure if their government pays for that or if I have so that’s why donations are necessary.
‘The GoFundMe page has 12% of donations so far and I’m not sure if that is enough to get transported to the UK.
‘After I get well enough to be discharged from hospital, I’ll be allowed to travel by aircraft, hopefully in weeks.
‘I’ll have a check up at a UK hospital and then be allowed back home.’
He added on the fundraising page: ‘While shopping for groceries in a supermarket in Egypt, I became the victim of a senseless act of violence.
The University of Bedfordshire graduate had been due to start a Masters’ degree, but has put it on hold because of his ‘horrible situation’
‘I was stabbed by a criminal without any provocation or reason. This shocking incident has left me fighting for my life, both physically and emotionally.
‘What started as a normal day turned into a nightmare that I could have never foreseen.
‘The terror and pain of that moment will forever be etched in my memory.
‘Strangers rushed to my aid, their kindness in stark contrast to the brutality of what I had just endured.
‘I am grateful to be alive, but surviving such an ordeal has left me grappling with a deep wound – both visible and invisible.’
The University of Bedfordshire graduate, who had been due to be starting a Master’s degree, continued: ‘As I write this, I am in a hospital, struggling to recover from my injuries.
‘The medical bills are piling up, and I am facing a long road to recovery that will require not only medical treatment but also psychological support.
‘The trauma of this event has been overwhelming, and the financial burden is becoming impossible to manage. Every day is a fight—a fight to heal, to reclaim my life, and to find hope in a situation that feels unbearably dark.’
Belgin’s mum, who had pleaded for a miracle to save her ‘fighter’ son, told MailOnline how she continued to keep a round-the-clock vigil at his bedside
Mrs Sena, 55, said: ‘Last week my son was very sick. He couldn’t breathe because he has a lot of mucus which blocks his air ways.
‘The doctors are doing all they can to save my son now and now he has come round from an assisted coma.’
While the Government has issued no recent travel warnings to the Red Sea hotspot, once deemed too unsafe for visitors amidst terrorism fears, she insists it is not a safe place for holidays now.
Belgin told how donations given will help pay for his rehabilitation once he is back home.
He posted: ‘The costs of surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing treatments are astronomical. As I recover, I will need regular check-ups and possibly physical therapy to regain full function.
‘Surviving such a traumatic event takes a toll not only on the body but also on the mind. I will need counseling and support to help me cope with the fear and anxiety that accompany such a violent experience.’
He added: ‘Due to my injuries, I am unable to work, and my financial situation is becoming increasingly dire. Your support will help cover my living expenses while I focus on recovery.
While the Government has issued no recent travel warning to the Red Sea hotspot – once deemed too unsafe for visitors amidst terrorism fears – Belgin’s mum claims it is not a safe place to holiday now
‘And by sharing my story, I hope to raise and spread awareness about the issue of random violence and encourage a community dialogue about safety and support for victims.
‘Your contributions will not only aid my recovery but also help others who may find themselves in similar situations.
‘I understand that times are tough for many, and I do not take this request lightly. If you can find it in your heart to donate, no matter how small, it will make a significant difference in my life.
‘If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing my story with your network would be incredibly helpful.
‘Thank you for taking the time to read my plea. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to me during this challenging time. Together, we can turn this tragedy into a story of resilience and recovery. With heartfelt gratitude.’