Christians Mourn As Death Toll From Cairo Church Bombing Rises

 The death toll from the Cairo church bombing has risen to 26 after an injured woman died at the weekend.

The attack by militants on the church of St Peter and St Paul on December 11 killed 25 people outright and wounded 49, 23 of whom are still being treated in hospital. Three of the injured are said to be in a critical condition.

According to Daily News Egypt, Audet Saleh Michael (70) had suffered injuries to her lungs and intestines and had undergone three bouts of surgery before her death.

The church where the attack took place is attached to St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, seat of the Coptic Pope. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a "martyrdom operation". ISIS said it would target "apostates" or "infidels" in Egypt or anywhere else in the world.

A state funeral was held for the victims at which Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi spoke and three days of mourning were declared.

The bombing sparked waves of anger across Egypt with hundreds protesting outside the cathedral in Cairo.

The crowd demanded Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, the interior minister, be dismissed after a perceived security failure led to the attack. Christians are convinced attacks on them are not seriously investigated.

Protesters also demonstrated outside the St Mary and St Athanasius church in Cairo's Nasr City because they were denied entry to the funeral.