IS suicide blasts on Egyptian churches kill dozens
About 29 people were killed in a blast inside a church in the Egyptian city of Tanta, local media reported, as state television said another blast killed 18 in front of a church in Alexandriaazeera wrote.
IS armed groups on Sunday claimed responsibility for both attacks, in a statement via its Amaq website.
Following the blasts, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ordered troops be deployed across the country to help secure “vital facilities”, according to a statement by his office, Al-Jazeera reported Sunday.
The first attack occurred in the Coptic church of Mar Girgis, also known as St George, which was packed with worshipers marking Palm Sunday, a Christian feast commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, according to Al-Jazeera.
Egypt’s state television reported that at least 71 people were wounded in the attack.
Several hours after the bombing in Tanta, another explosion hit in front of Saint Mark’s church in Alexandria, killing at least 18 people, according to the health ministry, Al-Jazeera added.
Media reports said dozens were wounded in the attack, which state TV said was a suicide bombing.
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