According to the ONTV broadcaster, the explosion occurred at the church's doors, when a suicide bomber was prevented from entering the building by a policeman.
The blast occurred on Palm Day, a Christian feast commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Egyptian media said that Pope Tawadros II, the leader of the Coptic church, was inside the church during the attack. He was not harmed.
🔴 Explosion in #Egypt's #Alexandria.2nd blast after #Tanta church explosion earlier today
— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) 9 апреля 2017 г.
📸 @MagButter pic.twitter.com/5TQPIyqypc
💥 Another explosion (believed to be a suicide bomber) at the surroundings of the St. Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria, casualties reported.
— Hasan Sari (@HasanSari7) 9 апреля 2017 г.
#مصر | سكرتير "#تواضرس": انتحاري فجر نفسه أمام #الكنيسة_المرقسية بـ #الإسكندرية أثناء تواجد #البابا pic.twitter.com/6wu1Cknonp
— تغاريد الاخبار (@Twytat) 9 апреля 2017 г.
Earlier in the day, one blast hit a church in Tanta; another blast targeted a police station in the same city later.
There were lots of people in both churches — they came to join the divine service.
On December 11, a strong blast hit the Coptic Christian cathedral complex in Cairo, killing 25 and wounding 49 people. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.
