UPDATE 2 – Second bombing rocks Egypt church; 11 killed

*UPDATES DEATH TOLL, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Hussein Qabani

CAIRO (AA) – At least 11 people were killed in a second church bombing in Egypt on Sunday, hours after two dozens were killed in a church explosion in northern Egypt, according to the Health Ministry.

A bomber blew himself up at a security checkpoint outside St. Mark’s Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria.

“Eleven people were killed and 35 others injured in the bombing,” ministry spokesman Khaled Mujahed said in televised statements.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said a bomber detonated himself after being prevented from breaking through the security cordon around the church.

It confirmed that three policemen were among those killed in the attack.

A church source said Coptic Pope Tawadros II was inside the church when the bombing took place but he was unhurt.

The bombing came hours after an explosion struck inside St. George church in the Nile Delta city of Tanta, killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens.

There was no claim of responsibility for Sunday’s blasts, which occurred on Palm Day, a Christian feast commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

In December, a bomb blast struck a church in central Cairo, killing more than 25 people and injured scores.

Coptic Christians are estimated to account for between 8 and 10 percent of Egypt's population of about 90 million.