Egypt: Women and children targeted in bomb blast that kills 25 at Coptic Cathedral in Cairo

Relatives of the victims were held back from the scene by police officers following the blast

At least 25 were killed and 49 wounded when a bomb targeted worshiper’s during Sunday service (10am) at St Peter’s Church in Cairo. Six children were among the dead. The bomb exploded inside the church and was left in an area to specifically target women and children. State television reported an explosive device had been thrown into the building, but witnesses said the bomb had been planted in the church. 

St Peter’s Church is beside St Mark’s Cathedral, which is the seat of Egypt’s Orthodox Christian church and is home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.  Services were being held in St Peter’s, while St Mark’s Cathedral was being renovated.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, however, some supporters of the ISIS celebrated the attack on social media.

One message said: ‘God is great, God is great, God is great.’

Another wrote: ‘ God bless the person who did this blessed act.’

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