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Blast near Cairo Coptic cathedral kills at least 22 Blast near Cairo Coptic cathedral kills at least 22
(35 minutes later)
An explosion near Cairo's Coptic cathedral has killed at least 20 people. A blast near the Coptic cathedral in the Egyptian capital Cairo has killed at least 22 people, officials say.
Egypt's state-run television said 22 people had been killed and 35 injured in the blast, citing health ministry officials. Dozens of others were reportedly injured in the blast. The cause was not immediately clear, but several media outlets suggested it was a bomb.
Local media reported the explosion hit St Peter's church next to the cathedral, within the same complex. The explosion hit St Peter's church next to St Mark's cathedral, within the same complex, local media say.
Photos and video footage showed damage to the exterior of the church, with shattered windows and broken roofing. Photos and video footage showed damage to the church, with shattered windows and broken roofing.
The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. The explosion happened at around 10:00 (08:00 GMT). Interior minister Magdi Abdel-Ghaffar and Cairo's security chief both inspected the scene, according to local media.
The explosion happened at around 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT). Local media reported that Cairo's security chief, Khalid Abdel Aal, arrived to inspect the scene.
Egypt's Coptic Christians make up about 10% of the country's population.Egypt's Coptic Christians make up about 10% of the country's population.
St Mark's Cathedral is the headquarters of the country's Orthodox church, and the home of its leader, Pope Tawadros II.St Mark's Cathedral is the headquarters of the country's Orthodox church, and the home of its leader, Pope Tawadros II.
On Saturday, six policemen were killed when a bomb exploded on a main road leading to the pyramids at Giza. The explosion, at a police checkpoint, was the deadliest attack on security forces in Cairo in over six months.On Saturday, six policemen were killed when a bomb exploded on a main road leading to the pyramids at Giza. The explosion, at a police checkpoint, was the deadliest attack on security forces in Cairo in over six months.
A recently formed militant group called Hasm claimed responsibility for the attack. A recently formed militant group called Hasm said it carried out the attack.
Egypt's Coptic Christian minority have complained of discrimination in the mostly Muslim nation.
Two people were killed outside St Mark's cathedral in 2013, when people mourning the death of four Coptic Christians killed in religious violence clashed with local residents.Two people were killed outside St Mark's cathedral in 2013, when people mourning the death of four Coptic Christians killed in religious violence clashed with local residents.
In February this year, a sentenced three Christian teenagers to five years in prison for insulting Islam. The teenagers had appeared in a video, apparently mocking Muslim prayers, but claimed thaey had been mocking the Islamic State group following a number of beheadings.
Egypt has pursued a number of blasphemy cases since the country's 2011 uprising. Many of those cases have been against Copts.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Tell us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Tell us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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