Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has announced a three-month state of
emergency following twin church bombings that killed
dozens on Palm Sunday.
The explosions, claimed by ISIL, killed at least 44 people and wounded over 100 others, according to the country’s health ministry. The death toll is feared to climb as the explosions occurred during the service.
The terrorist group had previously threatened more attacks on the Coptic community in Egypt in retaliation to their support of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew former President Mohamed Morsi, who hailed from the Islamist group the Muslim Brotherhood.
Church blast in Tanta
The explosion on Sunday morning ripped through a church in the city of Tanta, northern Egypt, killing at least 27 people and wounding 78 others.
The blast in Tanta took place in the main prayer hall of the Mar Girgis (Saint George) Coptic church.
A general view shows people gathering outside the Mar Girgis Coptic Church in Egyptian city of Tanta on Sunday./AFP Photo
Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail called the blast a terror attack, even before ISIL had claimed responsibility, and announced he would head to the scene of the attack. A spokesman for the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also tweeted that the incident was an act of terrorism, soon after news of it broke, slamming it as "obnoxious".
Church blast in Alexandria
Hours later, at least 17 people were confirmed dead, including one police officer, and 40 others were confirmed injured after the suicide bomber detonated himself in front of the Saint Mark’s Church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, the country's health ministry said.
Pope Tawadros II, the leader of the Coptic church, was presiding over Palm Sunday celebrations at the Church in Alexandria when the blast took place. The pope was unharmed in the attack, his secretary told a local TV station.
The moment the explosion ripped through the church in Tanta as worshippers marked Palm Sunday.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the largest Christian Church in the Muslim majority country of Egypt.
Reactions from international community
The US embassy in Cairo extended its condolences to the families and friends of the victims, saying the first blast is a “heinous, reprehensible terrorist attack against peaceful worshipers,” according to a statement posted on its twitter account.
French President Francois Hollande expressed solidarity with Egyptian people following the first church attack. He said his country will mobilize all its forces in line with the Egyptian authorities in the fight against terrorism.
What is Palm Sunday?
This Sunday marks Palm Sunday, a holy day for Christians across the world commemorating Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixtion. The religious event comes the Sunday before Easter and marks the start of the Holy Week.
Previous attacks on the Coptic community
In December 2016, an ISIL-claimed explosion hit the largest Coptic cathedral in Cairo, leaving at least 25 people dead and 49 hurt. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Egypt's Christian community in recent years.
