A bus carrying Coptic Christians to a monastery south of the capital was targeted in a bloody attack Friday, killing more than 23 people, officials said.

Egyptian state television reported that 23 were killed and 25 wounded in the attack in Minya, a Christian enclave 138 miles south of Cairo, reports the Los Angels Time.

Human rights groups were reporting an even higher death toll.

“Militants attacked a bus and a car -- they shot them, 28 persons were killed at least,” said Ishak Ibrahim, a researcher at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, a Cairo-based think tank, adding that the victims included women and children.

“They are still counting the number of victims. The militants targeted Coptic Christians who were driving to a monastery. Some went to work, some went to visit.”

Christians make up about a tenth of Egypt’s population of 92 million. As Islamic State’s influence has expanded in Egypt, Minya -- home to the country’s largest Coptic Christian community -- has been a flashpoint in recent months for attacks by Muslim extremists against Coptic Christians.

BDST: 1750 HRS, MAY 26, 2017
AP