At least 21 people have been killed in an explosion during a Palm Sunday service at a church in northern Egypt.

The blast struck St George’s Coptic church, which was reportedly packed with worshippers, in the city of Tanta in the Nile Delta.

Another 38 have been injured in the attack.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known but Egypt’s Christian minority has often been targeted by Islamist militants in recent years.

Video and pictures of what appears to show the horrifying aftermath as crowds gather around dead bodies have emerged online.

The incident comes as Coptic worshippers gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter that marks the start of Holy Week for Christians.

Some 25 people died when a bomb exploded at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo during a service in December last year.

Hundreds of Christians have fled the country’s Sinai Peninsula following killings in the area.

Pope Francis is set to visit Egypt later in April.

Source:- Standard Uk