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At least 21 dead after blast near church in Egyptian city 90km from Cairo At least 21 dead after church bombing in Egyptian city 90km from Cairo
(35 minutes later)
At least 21 people were killed and 38 injured in an explosion inside a church in Egypt’s Tanta, north of Cairo, AP reports, citing the head of the provincial ambulance service Magdi Awad. At least 21 people were killed and 38 injured in a bomb explosion inside a church in Egypt’s Tanta, north of Cairo, AP reports, citing the head of the provincial ambulance service, Magdi Awad.
The news agency adds that 38 people were wounded in the incident, which Al-Arabiya called a “bombing.” State television, however, reported around 50 injured in the blast.
However, there is no official information on what exactly caused the explosion. Egyptian officials have confirmed that the incident was a bomb explosion, according to AP.
Graphic images and footage presumably from inside the church have emerged, showing people gathered around apparently lifeless bodies.
A second blast occurred near a police training area in the same town, according to local Daily News Egypt.A second blast occurred near a police training area in the same town, according to local Daily News Egypt.
The deadly attack occurred on Palm Sunday, which commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast.The deadly attack occurred on Palm Sunday, which commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast.
The attack on the Coptic church comes weeks before the visit of Pope Francis to Egypt, scheduled for April 28-29.
The town of Tanta was the target of a terrorist attack just a few days ago, when 16 people were wounded in a police training center bombing on April 1. A militant group called Liwa al-Thawra, believed to be linked to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, claimed responsibility for that assault.The town of Tanta was the target of a terrorist attack just a few days ago, when 16 people were wounded in a police training center bombing on April 1. A militant group called Liwa al-Thawra, believed to be linked to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, claimed responsibility for that assault.
One of the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in Egypt occurred last December, when a local Islamic State (IS, Formerly ISIS/ISIL) affiliate killed dozens of people in a suicide bombing in the largest Cairo Coptic Cathedral. The Christian minority represents 10 percent of the country’s 90 million people.One of the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in Egypt occurred last December, when a local Islamic State (IS, Formerly ISIS/ISIL) affiliate killed dozens of people in a suicide bombing in the largest Cairo Coptic Cathedral. The Christian minority represents 10 percent of the country’s 90 million people.