Terrorism

Dozens killed in Egypt church bombings

09 Apr, 2017

Three-month state of emergency declared after twin church attacks on 9 April.

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has declared a three-month state of emergency after terror attacks killed more than 40 people in two Coptic Christian churches in Egypt during Palm Sunday services on 9 April.

The first blast occurred near the city of Tanta in the Nile Delta, north of Cairo, killing at least 27 people and wounding over 70, followed hours later by another explosion at a church in Alexandria, killing at least 17 people and wounding more than 40.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) militant group have claimed responsibility for both suicide bombings.

Pope Francis condemned the terror attacks ahead of his upcoming visit to Egypt in late April. The pontiff's visit is designed to express solidarity with Egyptian Christians who constitute about 10 per cent of the country's population.