Moment one of two ISIS suicide
bombers detonates outside
Egyptian church after being turned
away by three hero policemen in
Palm Sunday massacre 'aimed at
Coptic Pope' that killed 43 Christians
- WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
- Worshippers celebrating Palm Sunday were targeted by ISIS terrorists
- with suicide bombs
- At least 27 people were killed in Tanta while a further dozen died in
- Alexandria earlier today
- Three police officers died in Alexandria while preventing bomber from
- entering the church
This is the moment an ISIS suicide bomber detonated outside an Egyptian
church after being turned away by three hero policemen in the second of two
attacks that killed 43 Christians and wounded 100.
church after being turned away by three hero policemen in the second of two
attacks that killed 43 Christians and wounded 100.
CCTV shows the fanatic, dressed in a blue pullover, approaching the gate at
St Mark's in Alexandria but being told to go through the metal detector first by the
officers.
St Mark's in Alexandria but being told to go through the metal detector first by the
officers.
He then passes a female police officer chatting to another woman, and enters a
metal detector before an explosion engulfs the area.
metal detector before an explosion engulfs the area.
The atrocity, which followed another attack in Tanta, was thought to have been
aimed at Pope Tawadros II, leader of the ancient Coptic church, who was
worshipping in St Mark's at the time but escaped unharmed.
aimed at Pope Tawadros II, leader of the ancient Coptic church, who was
worshipping in St Mark's at the time but escaped unharmed.
The blasts, claimed by Islamic State, came at the start of Holy Week leading up
to Easter, and just weeks before Pope Francis is due to visit the Arab world's
most populous country.
to Easter, and just weeks before Pope Francis is due to visit the Arab world's
most populous country.
At least 38 people have been killed after two explosions targeting Coptic Christians
in Tantra and Alexandria today
in Tantra and Alexandria today
Priests saying mass in the cathedral in Tantra were sprayed with blood after the
device exploded in the church's front row
device exploded in the church's front row
Approximately ten per cent of the Egyptian population are Christian and have been
targeted several times by ISIS terrorists
targeted several times by ISIS terrorists
In the first attack, a bomb went off inside St. George's Church in the Nile Delta
city of Tanta, killing at least 27 people and wounding 78, officials said.
city of Tanta, killing at least 27 people and wounding 78, officials said.
The attack on St. Mark's Cathedral, in the coastal city of Alexandria, the historic
seat of Christendom in Egypt, happened a few hours later and killed at least
16 people and wounding 41, the Interior Ministry said.
seat of Christendom in Egypt, happened a few hours later and killed at least
16 people and wounding 41, the Interior Ministry said.
Isis claimed the attacks via its Aamaq news agency, after having recently warned
that it would step up violence against Egypt's Christians.
that it would step up violence against Egypt's Christians.
CBC TV showed footage from inside the church in Tanta, where people gathered
around what appeared to be lifeless, bloody bodies covered with papers.
around what appeared to be lifeless, bloody bodies covered with papers.
'After the explosion, everything became dark from the smoke,' said Edmond Edward,
attending services with his brother, Emil, who was wounded and leaned on him for
support at a nearby hospital.
attending services with his brother, Emil, who was wounded and leaned on him for
support at a nearby hospital.
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'There was a clear lapse in security, which must be tightened from now on to save
lives,' he said. He added that the blast appeared to be centered near the altar and
that the priest leading the service, Father Daniel, was wounded.
lives,' he said. He added that the blast appeared to be centered near the altar and
that the priest leading the service, Father Daniel, was wounded.
Susan Mikhail, whose apartment balcony across the street has a clear view of the
church and its front yard, said the explosion violently shook her building.
church and its front yard, said the explosion violently shook her building.
'Deacons were the first to run out of the church. Many of them had blood on their
white robes,' she said.
white robes,' she said.
Later, the more seriously wounded were carried out by other survivors and taken
to hospitals in private cars, she said.
to hospitals in private cars, she said.
Hundreds of residents gathered in the area, and church members blocked people -
including journalists - from entering the church as police cordoned off the area.
including journalists - from entering the church as police cordoned off the area.
Worshippers helped those who were injured by this morning's tragic blast in Cairo
Emil Edward Salib, pictured, was injured when the device exploded inside the church in
Tanta during today's service
Tanta during today's service
Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Hossam Elddin Khalifa was fired over the incident,
with Maj. Gen. Tarek Hassouna replacing him, state-run newspaper al-Ahram
reported.
with Maj. Gen. Tarek Hassouna replacing him, state-run newspaper al-Ahram
reported.
President Donald Trump tweeted that he is 'so sad to hear of the terrorist attack'
against the U.S. ally but added that he has 'great confidence' that Egyptian
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, 'will handle the situation properly.'
against the U.S. ally but added that he has 'great confidence' that Egyptian
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, 'will handle the situation properly.'
The two leaders met at the White House on April 3.
Grand Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, head of Egypt's Al-Azhar - the leading center of
learning in Sunni Islam - also condemned the attacks, calling them a 'despicable
terrorist bombing that targeted the lives of innocents.'
learning in Sunni Islam - also condemned the attacks, calling them a 'despicable
terrorist bombing that targeted the lives of innocents.'
Both Israel and the Islamic Hamas movement ruling neighboring Gaza condemned
the bombings as well.
the bombings as well.
The bombings added to fears that Islamic extremists who have long been battling
security forces in the Sinai Peninsula are shifting their focus to civilians.
security forces in the Sinai Peninsula are shifting their focus to civilians.
An Isis affiliate claimed a December suicide bombing at a Cairo church that killed
about 30 people, mostly women, as well as a string of killings in the northern Sinai
that caused hundreds of Christians to flee.
about 30 people, mostly women, as well as a string of killings in the northern Sinai
that caused hundreds of Christians to flee.
The militants recently released a video vowing to step up attacks against Christians,
whom they regard as 'infidels' empowering the West against Muslims.
whom they regard as 'infidels' empowering the West against Muslims.
Egypt has struggled to combat a wave of Islamic militancy since the 2013 military
overthrow of an elected Islamist president.
overthrow of an elected Islamist president.
The Sinai-based IS affiliate has mainly attacked police and soldiers, but has also
claimed bombings that killed civilians, including the downing of a Russian passenger
jetliner in the Sinai in 2015.
claimed bombings that killed civilians, including the downing of a Russian passenger
jetliner in the Sinai in 2015.
This killed all 224 people onboard and devastated Egypt's tourism industry.
More than 38 people have been killed in today's blasts in Tanta and Alexandria which
have been claimed by ISIS
have been claimed by ISIS
ISIS has claimed responsibility for today's attack which targeted churches in Tanta
and Alexandria
and Alexandria
And in April 1, a militant group claimed responsibility for an April 1 bomb attack
targeting a police training center in Tanta, which wounded 16 people.
targeting a police training center in Tanta, which wounded 16 people.
The group, believed to be linked to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, has mainly
targeted security forces and distanced itself from attacks on Christians.
targeted security forces and distanced itself from attacks on Christians.
Egypt's Copts are one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East. They
have long complained of discrimination and that the government does not do
enough to protect them.
have long complained of discrimination and that the government does not do
enough to protect them.
Egyptian media had previously reported that the church in Tanta had been targeted
before, with a bomb defused there in late March.
before, with a bomb defused there in late March.
The Copts were largely supportive of the military overthrow of Islamist President
Mohammed Morsi, and incurred the wrath of many of his followers, who attacked
churches and other Christian institutions.
Mohammed Morsi, and incurred the wrath of many of his followers, who attacked
churches and other Christian institutions.
While the Copts have stood steadfast alongside the government, repeating the
mantra that Egyptians were all being targeted by terrorists, an increase in attacks
on Christians has tested that support.
mantra that Egyptians were all being targeted by terrorists, an increase in attacks
on Christians has tested that support.
Outside the Tanta hospital, 27-year-old carpenter Maged Saleh flew into a rage
as blood streamed from his arm after he and his mother escaped the explosion.
as blood streamed from his arm after he and his mother escaped the explosion.
'Where is the government?' he screamed at onlookers. 'There is no government!'
Pope Francis, marking Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square, decried the bombings,
expressing 'deep condolences to my brother, Pope Tawadros II, the Coptic church
and all of the dear Egyptian nation.'
expressing 'deep condolences to my brother, Pope Tawadros II, the Coptic church
and all of the dear Egyptian nation.'
He is due to visit Egypt April 28 to 29.
A video showed the victims of today's atrocity lying on the ground after the terrible blast
The pontiff expressed his 'deep condolences to my brother, Pope Tawadros II, the
Coptic church and all of the dear Egyptian nation', and said he was praying for the
dead and wounded in the attack. Word of the bombing came as Francis himself was
marking Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square.
Coptic church and all of the dear Egyptian nation', and said he was praying for the
dead and wounded in the attack. Word of the bombing came as Francis himself was
marking Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square.
The pontiff asked God `to convert the hearts of those who spread terror, violence
and death, and also the hearts of those who make, and traffic in, weapons'.
and death, and also the hearts of those who make, and traffic in, weapons'.
The pope's remarks on the church attack were handed to him on a piece of paper
after he remembered the victims of the Stockholm attack Friday night.
after he remembered the victims of the Stockholm attack Friday night.
The bombing killed 25 people and wounded another 71, according to Egyptian officials.
Pope Francis said the world was suffering from wars and terrorism
Francis, who has not made any direct public comment on the current Middle East
crisis, said the Mass as international tensions increased following the U.S. missile
strike on a Syrian air base, which the Pentagon says was involved in a chemical
weapons attack that killed 87 people.
crisis, said the Mass as international tensions increased following the U.S. missile
strike on a Syrian air base, which the Pentagon says was involved in a chemical
weapons attack that killed 87 people.
The service was being broadcast live on Egyptian television when the blast happened
Viewers saw the blast happening live on television before the video feed cut out
Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week that culminates on Easter Sunday, commemorates the day Christians believe Jesus entered Jerusalem and was welcomed as the messiah, only to be crucified five days later.
Francis, marking the fifth Easter season of his pontificate, blessed palm and olive branches in the centre of St. Peter's Square before saying Mass.
'He (Jesus) is present in our many brothers and sisters who today endure sufferings like his own: they suffer from slave labour, from family tragedies, from diseases,' he said.
'They suffer from wars and terrorism, from interests that are armed and ready to strike. Women and men who are cheated, violated in their dignity, discarded,' he added.
Before the U.S. missile strike, Francis said he was horrified by the suspected chemical weapons attack, calling it an 'unacceptable massacre' of innocent civilians.
Allies of the United States have expressed support for Washington's actions, calling them a proportionate response to Syrian forces' suspected use of chemical weapons. But they were denounced as illegal by Syria and its allies Russia and Iran.
Palm Sunday marks the start of a hectic week for the Pope, who on Thursday he visits a prison south of Rome to wash and kiss the feet of 12 inmates, commemorating Jesus' gesture of humility towards his apostles the night before he died.
Previous popes held the service either at the Vatican or a Rome basilica but Francis changed the tradition to stress the importance of going to the poor, the sick and the imprisoned.
He has drawn ultra-traditionalist ire for including Muslims and women in a service previously limited to Catholic men.
The attacks have been condemned by a series of world leaders.
Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted: 'We strongly condemn the heinous terror attacks on churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday today.'
Mehmet Gormez, the head of religious affairs in Turkey, 'cursed' the attacks and said they are the shared problem of all humanity.
Gormez added: 'The immunity of a place of worship, no matter the religion it belongs to, cannot be violated and the bloodthirsty killing of innocent worshippers cannot ever be forgiven.'
Egypt's Interior Ministry says a blast at a church in Alexandria was caused by a suicide bomber who tried to storm the entrance before being stopped by police.
The ministry said three policemen were among those killed in Sunday's attack, without providing an overall toll. The Health Ministry said 11 people were killed and another 35 were wounded.
It was the second of two attacks on Coptic churches that were packed with worshippers celebrating Palm Sunday. The first, in the Nile Delta town of Tanta, killed 26 people and wounded around 70.
Germany has condemned the bombing of a Coptic church in Egypt and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement Sunday that 'the aim of the perpetrators, to drive a wedge between people of different faiths living peacefully side-by-side, mustn't be allowed to happen'.
Coptic Christians in Egypt have been subjected to a greater number of terrorist attacks
Forensic officers began gathering evidence from the site of the suicide blast in Tantra, 75 miles north of Cairo
Even Hamas in Gaza have condemned the double bombings.
Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said 'Hamas wishes safety, security, stability and prosperity for Egypt and its people.'
Israel has sent its condolences to Egypt following the deadly bombing at a church in the Nile Delta, north of Cairo.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said 'the world has to come together and fight terrorism everywhere'.
Pope Francis condemned today's twin suicide attacks and expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families
An officer used a metal detector to find fragments from the bomb which ripped through the Church in Tanta, Egypt
Allies of the United States have expressed support for Washington's actions, calling them a proportionate response to Syrian forces' suspected use of chemical weapons. But they were denounced as illegal by Syria and its allies Russia and Iran.
Palm Sunday marks the start of a hectic week for the Pope, who on Thursday he visits a prison south of Rome to wash and kiss the feet of 12 inmates, commemorating Jesus' gesture of humility towards his apostles the night before he died.
Previous popes held the service either at the Vatican or a Rome basilica but Francis changed the tradition to stress the importance of going to the poor, the sick and the imprisoned.
He has drawn ultra-traditionalist ire for including Muslims and women in a service previously limited to Catholic men.
Three police officers died in Alexandria as they prevented a suicide bomber from accessing the Coptic church
At least 11 people were killed in the second attack which hit the northern port city of Alexandria
The attacks have been condemned by a series of world leaders.
Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted: 'We strongly condemn the heinous terror attacks on churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday today.'
Mehmet Gormez, the head of religious affairs in Turkey, 'cursed' the attacks and said they are the shared problem of all humanity.
Gormez added: 'The immunity of a place of worship, no matter the religion it belongs to, cannot be violated and the bloodthirsty killing of innocent worshippers cannot ever be forgiven.'
Egypt's Interior Ministry says a blast at a church in Alexandria was caused by a suicide bomber who tried to storm the entrance before being stopped by police.
World leaders have condemned today's attacks which have claimed the lives of at lead 38 people and wounded 100
The dead and wounded were removed from the scene in Alexandria on stretchers in the aftermath of the attack
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4394838/Thirteen-killed-42-wounded-Cairo-church-bombing.html#ixzz4dmATJCa3
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