Deacon William Nassef Yousef Atiya

Saint George Church, Tanta, Palm Sunday Martyrs

9 April 2017 · Egypt

A suicide bomber detonated himself inside Mar Girgis (Saint George) Abu Naga Church in Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, during the Easter liturgy while the church was crowded with worshippers. The explosion killed 30 people and injured approximately 71 to 87 others. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, naming the perpetrator 'Abu Ishaq al-Masri.' A second bombing targeted the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria later that same day; the two attacks are collectively known as the 'Palm Sunday Bombings.'

Mar Girgis Abu Naga Church (Church of the Righteous Martyrs)

Ali Mubarak Street, Tanta, Gharbia Governorate