Egypt: Coptic Christians killed in attack on pilgrim bus

An attack on a bus in Egypt this morning has left 28 Coptic Christians confirmed dead, including two children. At least 23 more people have been injured.

According to a statement by the Governor of Minya, the bus was on a desert road near Al Idwa in the north-west of Minya Governorate and was taking Coptic Christians to visit the Monastery of St Samuel the Confessor.

The bus was in a small convoy of vehicles which was stopped by a group of around 10 gunmen wearing military uniform. The gunmen fired at the bus and other vehicles with automatic weapons and then drove away from the scene in three vehicles.

The Bishop of Minya Province, Bishop Makarios said many of the victims were shot at point blank range, the New York Times has reported. Bishop Makarios said a pick-up truck in the convoy carrying workmen at the monastery was also targeted.

The governor of Minya, Essam al-Bedawi said security forces were at the scene and on the road to the monastery setting up checkpoints.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for this atrocity. The attack comes during a three-month nationwide state of emergency declared by President Al-Sisi on 10th April, after Palm Sunday attacks on Coptic Orthodox churches in Tanta and Alexandria which left 47 dead. A number of other attacks have been carried out this year against Christian communities and Egyptian security targets by militants claiming allegiance to Daesh.

Dr John Newton from Aid to the Church in Need told ICN: "Today’s attack in Minya was tragic and we were all shocked at Aid to the Church in Need when we heard the news. But, sadly, it is only the latest in a long line of attacks on Egypt’s Coptic Christians. Most people will recall the terrible bombings in February 2017 and December 2016, but even before then there were the mass torchings of churches in 2013 – and let us not forget those killed in the bombing of the church in Alexandria in 2011. And that is not to mention the continuing problems Christians have faced in some areas of Egypt, including discrimination and the abduction of young Coptic women. We must keep our brothers and sisters – both Catholic and Oriental Orthodox – in our hearts and in our prayers as they are face ongoing difficulties because of their Faith."

The killings have been condemned by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed al-Tayeb, who is currently visiting Germany, and who called on Egyptians “to unite in the face of this brutal terrorism.”

Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, also condemned the killings, describing the perpetrators as “traitors”. A statement from the presidency said President el Sisi was closely following up on the security situation in the country, and had instructed the authorities to take all necessary measures to attend to the injured and arrest the assailants.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, (CSW) said: "We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those killed in this appalling attack. We stand in solidarity with the people of Egypt as they face unprecedented terrorist activity conducted by a death cult that manipulates religion and has no regard for the sanctity of human life. While the attack underlines once again the need for greater vigilance on the part of the security forces, the fact that it occurred in an area known for sectarian attacks highlights the urgent need not only to ensure accountability for these attacks, but also to promote equal citizenship at a local level, and a robust enforcement of the rule of law to underpin this ethos.”