Egypt
Nag Hammadi Martyrs Memorial
7 January 2010
Summary
As Christians were leaving the Church of Saint John the Beloved in Nag Hammadi, Minya Governorate, the congregation was attacked in a sustained armed assault from multiple vehicles and positions throughout the city. The attack killed 8 Copts and injured 11 others, in one of the most violent sectarian incidents in Egypt before the January 2011 Revolution.
Incident Details
After the Christmas liturgy ended and worshippers left the church, a Fiat 132 car carrying two men — one driving and the other firing an automatic machine gun at the departing Christians — drove past. Two people were killed instantly and others were injured with varying severity, after which the car fled. This coincided with indiscriminate gunfire from other armed groups in Peugeot 504 cars and an unlicensed oil tanker, as well as a tank, in various parts of the city. Assassination attempt: Anba Kyrillos, Bishop of Nag Hammadi, concluded the Christmas liturgy at 10:00 PM. While heading to the diocese headquarters at 12:20 AM, approximately 40 meters away, shots were fired at his car in a failed assassination attempt at Midan Bank Misr, but his car managed to speed through and escape.
Timeline
Later (not precisely specified)
Death toll rises from 6 to 8 after Joseph Samuel and Bishoy Samuel al-Basha die at Sohag General Hospital
7 January 2010, 10:00 PM (night of the incident)
Anba Kyrillos concludes the Christmas liturgy
7 January 2010, approximately 12:20 AM
Failed assassination attempt on Anba Kyrillos en route to the diocese
7 January 2010, early morning hours
Armed attack on worshippers leaving the Church of Saint John the Beloved
Infographic
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