Gunman in Egypt 'kills 26 Coptic Christians and injures 25 more' in horrific bus attack on way to monastery

Gunmen have reportedly attacked a group of Coptic Christians south of Cairo, Egypt, killing 26 and injuring 25.

Reports say gunmen opened fire on a bus travelling from the Bani Suief province headed to a monastery in the Minya province.

Local health officials said the attack happened while the bus was travelling to the St Samuel Monastery, about 140 miles south of Cairo.

Sources claim 10 masked gunmen in military uniforms attacked the bus, thought to be carrying children.

Arab TV stations have showed images of a damaged bus along a roadside, many of its windows shattered.

Ambulances were parked around it as bodies lay on the ground, covered with black plastic sheets.

An interior ministry spokesman said the attack was carried out by unidentified gunmen in three four-wheel-drive vehicles who opened fire on the victims' bus.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Mogahed said the death toll reached 26 but feared it could rise further.

According to the Copts United news portal, only three children survived the attack.