Society

Chinese injured at Egypt border undergoes surgery

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-07 11:25

ARISH, Egypt - Egyptian doctors said they have extracted the bullet from the right leg of a Chinese man who was shot and injured by suspected smugglers at Egypt's northern border Saturday.

Samy Anwer, general manager of the Arish Hospital, said late Tuesday that the Chinese man's operation was a success and that he needed about three to four months to fully recover.

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The 30-year-old man, surnamed Cui, from northeastern China's Jilin province, told Xinhua after the operation that his right leg felt painful and weak.

According to Cui, he arrived in Egypt in mid-April on a tourist visa. He wanted to make money by selling goods to households, but gave up after doing the work for several days. Hearing from others that working in Israel was more profitable, he wanted to do business there. However, he was cheated by local smugglers, who demanded some $1,500 to help him sneak into the country.

On the night of July 3, two suspected local smugglers left him at the border area and ordered him to cross to the other side, but Cui suddenly got cold feet and decided to quit. One of the smugglers then shot him in the right leg.

Prior to the operation, Xu Bomin, Consul with the Port Said Office of the Consulate General of China in Alexandria, visited Cui in the hospital Tuesday. Xu expressed his hope that an operation on Cui could be conducted as early as possible.

The Chinese Embassy in Egypt said the embassy hoped the Egyptians would ensure Cui's safety, provide humanitarian aid and medical treatment for him, as well as investigate the case as soon as possible.