Egypt: Deadly attack on bus headed to Coptic Christian monastery

At least seven people have been killed in an assault on a bus heading towards a monastery in northern Egypt, according to a Coptic Church official.

The incident took place on Friday as the vehicle was heading towards the Saint Samuel Coptic Christian monastery near Minya, a city about 270km south of the capital, Cairo.

The archbishop of Minya told Reuters news agency that at least seven people were killed and 14 wounded in the attack.

Church spokesperson Bouls Halim told The Associated Press news agency the death toll was likely to rise.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Friday’s assault marked the second attack on christians heading to the Saint Samuel monastery in as many years.

In May 2017, at least 28 people were killed and dozens more wounded when attackers opened fire on a vehicle carrying Coptic Christians to the complex.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack.

ISIL has repeatedly targeted Copts, a Christian minority that make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s estimated 99 million people, in recent years.

SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies