Copts mourn Egypt bus attack victims

Gunmen attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians in central Egypt on Friday, killing seven in the latest assault on the religious minority claimed by the Islamic State group. The attackers opened fire on the bus of pilgrims in Minya province after the occupants had visited the Saint Samuel monastery, the local bishop said.

Bishop Makarios of Minya said the wounded were taken to a hospital in Beni Mazar, around 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of Cairo. The Coptic Church in a statement released the names of the seven “martyrs” -- including two women -- who died in the attack. Heavy deployments of security forces blocked roads leading towards the scene of the shooting.

A security source confirmed that seven people were killed in the attack and said seven were wounded. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a message via its propaganda agency Amaq.