News Nation Logo

Attempted suicide attack on Egypt church foiled: state media

By : Salka Pai | Updated on: 12 Aug 2018, 12:12:50 AM
Attempted suicide attack on Egypt church foiled: state media (Photo- Twitter)

Cairo:

A suicide attack against a church on the outskirts of Cairo was foiled on Saturday when a bomber blew himself up before reaching the target, state media and security sources said.

The alleged assailant was forced to detonate a suicide belt as a result of the heavy police presence around the Virgin Church in the Shobra el-Kheima district, state media reported.

The man was hiding the explosives under a fluorescent vest, state-run newspaper Akhbar el-Youm said.

The blast took place about 200 metres (yards) away from the church, security officials said.

Also Read | One dead in attack on Jordan security patrol 

Christian sites of worship across Egypt have been repeatedly targeted in attacks claimed by the Islamic State group.

A string of bombings on Coptic churches in Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta city of Tanta in 2016 and 2017 killed at least 80 people.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s predominantly Sunni Muslim population of some 100 million.

The Egyptian army is currently waging a major operation focused on the Sinai Peninsula to wipe out IS.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

First Published : 12 Aug 2018, 12:12:19 AM

Videos