Egypt church blast toll rises to 21

A car bomb explosion outside a Christian church in the northern Egyptian city of Alexandria has killed 21 people and wounded more than 20 others.

The interior ministry says the wounded included several Muslims.

The blast happened as worshippers left the Coptic Church after a New Year's Mass.

An earlier toll from the interior ministry said seven people had been killed and 24 wounded.

Following the attack, hundreds of local Christians are reported to have clashed with the police and some Muslims.

There was no immediate responsibility for the attack.

The governor of Alexandria, Adel Labib, describes what happened.

"The blast happened around 12.40am local time," he said.

"One passer-by saw someone getting out of the car and after a while the car exploded.

"Security forces rushed to the scene straight away and put the situation under control."

Police and troops deployed en masse around the scene of the explosion as ambulances rushed to the area.

- BBC/AFP

Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/01/3104815.htm