Attack in central Egypt leaves 7 Coptic Christians dead

CAIRO

At least seven Coptic Christians were killed Friday in a shooting attack by unknown assailants in Egypt’s central Minya province, local officials have said.

Egyptian media outlets quoted Minya Governor Qassem Hussein as saying that at least seven people were killed -- and another 13 injured -- in an attack on a bus carrying Christian pilgrims.

In an earlier statement, a Coptic Church official said “terrorists” had opened fire on the bus, which had been carrying Christians from Egypt’s southern Sohag province.

The bus was reportedly on its way to Minya’s Saint Samuel Monastery when the deadly attack occurred.

Commenting on the incident in a Facebook statement, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi vowed to continue “fighting terrorism”.

He went on to express his sadness for the loss of life, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

“I reaffirm our determination to continue fighting terrorism and find the perpetrators,” al-Sisi said.

Friday’s attack is the second of its kind in the same area within the last year and a half.

In May of 2017, 29 people were killed when unknown attackers opened fire on two buses that had also been carrying Christians to the Saint Samuel Monastery.

Shortly afterward, the Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the deadly assault.