Egypt Prosecutor General orders investigation into Coptic Cathedral explosion

Sunday 11-12-2016 12:55 PM

Explosion at Botroseya Church building on Dec.11 (Aswat Masriya)

CAIRO, Dec 11 (Aswat Masriya) - Egypt's Prosecutor General Nabil Sadek has ordered an investigation into the explosion that took place near Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Abbasiya on Sunday morning. 

At least 25 were killed and tens were injured in an explosion that hit St Peter's church attached to St Mark's cathedral, state-run television reported. 

A highly-explosive device that contained 12 kilos of TNT explosive materials was placed inside the church and was remotely detonated, MENA news agency reported. 

Females constitute the bigger number of victims as the explosion happened near the section designed for female worshipers, according to MENA.

Injured were transferred to Dar El-Shefaa and Al-Demerdash hospitals for treatment, according to state television. 

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Security forces closed off the road and combed the area in search of other explosive devices.

This comes two days after six security personnel were killed and three others were injured in an explosion in Haram district in Giza. Recently-emerged movement calling itself "Hasam" claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Militants have stepped up attacks targeting security forces in Egypt, since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

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