Andrea Mirabile’s parents also suffered symptoms, the Associated Press reports, and were taken to hospital. His mother, Rosalia Manosperti, has since been discharged, but his father Antonio Mirabile remains in hospital.

Authorities in Egypt have opened an investigation following the boy’s death on 2 July. Italy’s La Stampa newspaper reports his body will be repatriated this weekend. In a statement, Italy’s foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring "the tragic situation of young Andrea Mirabile".

"The Italian embassy in Cairo and the honorary consulate in Sharm el Sheikh, in close liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immediately contacted the applicable local medical and legal authorities who opened an inquiry following the death and ordered an autopsy of the child’s body at the request of his parents," said the ministry.

"The embassy and honorary consulate are maintaining a constant watch over the medical progress of Andrea’s parents, offering assistance to Ms Rosalia Manosperti who has already been discharged from the international hospital in Sharm el Sheikh, while Antonio Mirabile is still in hospital.

"The embassy and the Farnesina [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] are also committed to ensuring the return of our fellow Italians to Italy as quickly as possible, and the prompt repatriation of the child’s body."