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| Egypt's Coptic churches hit by deadly blasts on Palm Sunday | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 31 people have died in Egypt after blasts targeted Coptic Christians on Palm Sunday. | |
| Six people were killed when an explosion struck outside St Mark's Coptic Church in Alexandria, according to official sources. | |
| Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Church, had been attending mass inside. | |
| Twenty-five people had died in an earlier blast at St George's Coptic church, in the city of Tanta, about 130km (80 miles) south-east. | |
| According to state media, Pope Tawadros is unhurt. His secretary said the attack in Alexandria was carried out by a suicide bomber who struck outside the church. | |
| After the first explosion in Tanta, provincial governor Ahmad Deif told the state-run Nile News channel: "Either a bomb was planted or someone blew himself up." | |
| General Tarek Atiya, a spokesperson at Egypt's interior ministry, told AFP news agency that the blast in Tanta took place near the altar. | |
| A search is under way for any more explosives which could be in the vicinity. | |
| The blasts appear to have been timed for maximum impact, as people gathered to mark Palm Sunday. | The blasts appear to have been timed for maximum impact, as people gathered to mark Palm Sunday. |
| Egyptian security forces had been put on alert in anticipation of attacks. | Egyptian security forces had been put on alert in anticipation of attacks. |
| Pope Francis, who is due to visit Egypt later this month, has condemned the attack. | Pope Francis, who is due to visit Egypt later this month, has condemned the attack. |
| Violence against Coptic Christians has risen in recent years, especially since 2013, when the military overthrew the elected president and launched a crackdown against Islamists. | Violence against Coptic Christians has risen in recent years, especially since 2013, when the military overthrew the elected president and launched a crackdown against Islamists. |
| Some supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood, blamed Christians for supporting the overthrow. | Some supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood, blamed Christians for supporting the overthrow. |
| In December last year, 25 people died when a bomb exploded at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo during a service. | In December last year, 25 people died when a bomb exploded at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo during a service. |
| And in February, militants from the Islamic State group warned of more attacks against Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypt's population. | And in February, militants from the Islamic State group warned of more attacks against Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypt's population. |
| The explosion occurred as Coptic Christians were celebrating Palm Sunday, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, marking the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. | The explosion occurred as Coptic Christians were celebrating Palm Sunday, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, marking the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. |
| On 1 April, an explosion outside a police training centre in Tanta injured 16 people. | On 1 April, an explosion outside a police training centre in Tanta injured 16 people. |
| What is the Coptic Christian faith? | What is the Coptic Christian faith? |
| The Coptic Orthodox Church is the main Christian Church in Egypt. While most Copts live in Egypt, the Church has about a million members outside the country. | The Coptic Orthodox Church is the main Christian Church in Egypt. While most Copts live in Egypt, the Church has about a million members outside the country. |
| Copts believe that their Church dates back to around 50 AD, when the Apostle Mark is said to have visited Egypt. Mark is regarded as the first Pope of Alexandria - the head of their church. | Copts believe that their Church dates back to around 50 AD, when the Apostle Mark is said to have visited Egypt. Mark is regarded as the first Pope of Alexandria - the head of their church. |
| This makes it one of the earliest Christian groups outside the Holy Land. | This makes it one of the earliest Christian groups outside the Holy Land. |
| The Church separated from other Christian denominations at the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) in a dispute over the human and divine nature of Jesus Christ. | The Church separated from other Christian denominations at the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) in a dispute over the human and divine nature of Jesus Christ. |
| The early Church suffered persecution under the Roman Empire, and there were intermittent persecutions after Egypt became a Muslim country. Many believe that continues to this day. | The early Church suffered persecution under the Roman Empire, and there were intermittent persecutions after Egypt became a Muslim country. Many believe that continues to this day. |
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