This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/384103-egypt-explosion-coptic-alexandria/

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
6 killed, 21 injured at blast at coptic church in Alexandria - Egypt Health Ministry 11 killed, 66 injured in blast at coptic church in Alexandria - Egypt Health Ministry
(35 minutes later)
An explosion has occurred in front of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Alexandria, killing two and injuring 21 according to state tv. This follows a suspected bomb attack in Tanta, Egypt earlier Sunday morning. Up to 11 people have been killed and 66 injured following a bomb explosion at a Coptic Christian Cathedral in Alexandria, according to Egypt’s Health Ministry as cited by state media.
Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria, had finished celebrating Palm Sunday mass and had left the scene when the explosion took place. He is reported unhurt. This follows a suspected bomb attack in Tanta, Egypt earlier Sunday morning. Egyptian State media have reported both explosions as suspected suicide attacks.
Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria, had finished celebrating Palm Sunday mass at St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral and had left the scene when the explosion took place. He is reported unhurt.
The Egypt Independent reported a heightened security presence and that authorities had been placed on alert in anticipation of such attacks on Palm Sunday.The Egypt Independent reported a heightened security presence and that authorities had been placed on alert in anticipation of such attacks on Palm Sunday.
The attack earlier this morning at St. George’s Coptic church in Tanta, approximately 130 km (80 miles) southeast of Alexandria killed at least 21 people and injured a further 38.The attack earlier this morning at St. George’s Coptic church in Tanta, approximately 130 km (80 miles) southeast of Alexandria killed at least 21 people and injured a further 38.
READ MORE: At least 21 dead after church bombing in Egyptian city 90km from CairoREAD MORE: At least 21 dead after church bombing in Egyptian city 90km from Cairo
An image uploaded to Twitter corroborated by RT shows the scene at Al Akbat, a street adjacent to the Cathedral, following the blast.An image uploaded to Twitter corroborated by RT shows the scene at Al Akbat, a street adjacent to the Cathedral, following the blast.
No group has claimed responsibility for either blast so far and no relation between the two has been established but these appear to be coordinated attacks, local media have reported.
The US Embassy in Cairo has expressed its condolences while condemning the blasts as “heinous, reprehensible terrorist attacks”on Twitter.
No group has claimed responsibility for either blast so far and no relation between the two has been established.No group has claimed responsibility for either blast so far and no relation between the two has been established.
Violence against Coptic christians has risen in recent years following the military coup in 2013. A bomb attack outside a Coptic cathedral in Cairo killed 25 and wounded 49 people in December of last year. Violence against Coptic christians has risen in recent years following the military coup in 2013. A bomb attack outside a Coptic cathedral in Cairo killed 25 and wounded 49 people in December of last year. 
Crowds can be seen gathered at Al Akbat Church street in video corroborated by RT uploaded to YouTube following the blast.  Crowds can be seen gathered at Al Akbat Church street in video corroborated by RT uploaded to YouTube following the blast.