Gunmen attackers opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians in central Egypt on Friday, killing seven in the latest assault on a religious minority repeatedly targeted by terrorists.
The bus was in Minya province after they had visited a monastery, a local bishop said. “The attack took place on the road back from the Saint Samuel monastery,” he added.
Bishop Makarios of Minya confirmed that seven people were killed in the attack, and fourteen were wounded, all of whom are in the Sheikh Fadel hospital in Beni Mazar.
A security source confirmed that seven people were killed in the attack, but put the number of wounded at seven. State television said security forces were on Friday afternoon still in pursuit of the attackers.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offered his support to the victims in a statement on Twitter.
“I am mourning with deep sadness the martyrs who fell today at the hands of traitors who are trying to harm the tightly-knit fabric of the nation,” Sisi said.
“I wish the wounded a quick recovery and confirm our determination to continue our efforts to fight the darkness of terrorism and pursue the criminals.”
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting.
