Two Egyptian Copts lost their lives in Misrata, Lybia, when the community service centre adjacent to the Coptic Orthodox church Holy Virgin and Mar-Girgis (St George) was bombed at dawn on Sunday. Misrata lies 187km east of Tripoli
Two Egyptian Copts lost their lives in Misrata, Lybia, when the community service centre adjacent to the Coptic Orthodox church Holy Virgin and Mar-Girgis (St George) was bombed at dawn on Sunday. Misrata lies 187km east of Tripoli.
Anba Pachomeus, Archbishop of Beheira, Matrouh and Pentapolis, told Watani that the building was bombed while the worshippers were inside participating in the traditional Kiyahk praises which take place all night long and end with Holy Mass at dawn. Wagdy Malak, 40, and Ashraf Sami, 26, died; and Sameh Fayek and Emad Azmy—also Egyptians—were injured. All four were living and working in Libya, with their families.
The explosion damaged the services building, but investigations have not yet revealed how and where exactly the bomb was placed, or who the culprits were. According to the priests of the Misrata church, however, there are indications that the Jihadi Salafis in the area are behind the bombing.
The Libyan government has taken on itself the treatment of the injured, and has pledged to reveal the identity of the culprits within 48 hours, Anba Pachomeus said. The Egyptian Ambassador to Libya, Hisham Abdel-Wahab, who was on holiday in Cairo interrupted his vacation and went back to Tripoli to follow up on the investigations.
Funeral services have been held for the victims in the Misrata church, and their bodies will be moved to Egypt for burial in their hometowns.
Watani International
31 December 2012