Egypt authorities thwart attempted bombing of Coptic church outside Cairo

An attempted suicide attack on a Coptic Church has been thwarted, leaving only the would-be attacker dead.

1 min read

11 August, 2018

The would-be attacker was killed while making his way to the Virgin Church [AFP]

Authorities in Egypt thwarted a suicide bombing attempt on a Coptic church outside Cairo on Saturday, a security official cited by Reuters said.

The would-be attacker was killed while attempting to evade security forces on the way to the Virgin Church in the Shubra al-Kheima district north of Cairo.

He died when the suicide belt blew up, causing no other casualties, local media reported.

The church is the venue of an annual festival that ends on Saturday, according to reports.

Christians constitute around 10 percent of Egypt's predominantly Muslim population. Sectarian violence erupts occasionally, mainly in rural communities in the south.

Egypt's Christian minority has been targeted by Islamic State group militants in a series of attacks since December 2016 that left more than 100 dead and scores wounded.

Egypt has been hit by significant militant attacks in recent years, particularly since the army toppled Islamist former president Mohamed Morsi in the summer of 2013, amid mass protests against his government.

Hundreds of soldiers, police and civilians have been killed in the attacks.

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