Dozens killed and wounded in ISIL-claimed bomb blasts on packed Coptic Christian churches in Tanta and Alexandria.

At least 27 people have been killed in an explosion inside a church in the Egyptian Nile delta city of Tanta, local media reported, as state television said another blast killed 11 in front of a church in Alexandria.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group on Sunday claimed responsibility for both attacks, in a statement via its Amaq website.

The first attack occurred in the Coptic church of Mar Girgis, also known as St George, which was packed with worshippers marking Palm Sunday, a Christian feast commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

Egypt’s state television reported that at least 69 people were wounded in the attack.

Several hours after the bombing in Tanta, another explosion hit in front of Saint Mark’s church in Alexandria, killing at least 11 people, according to the health ministry.

Media reports said dozens were wounded in the attack, which state TV said was a suicide bombing.

Mahjoob Zweiri, associate professor at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera that Tanta has seen several attacks in the past.

“The area and Christians both have witnessed such accidents before. There is a good percentage of Christians in this area and other non-Muslims too,” Zweiri said.

“I believe when there are such religious events in the country, authorities should take security measures into consideration as there are always chances of attacks,” he added. – Aljazeera