See the Destruction Caused by the Egyptian Church Explosions

  • Egyptians wheel away a body near a church after a bomb blast struck worshippers gathering to celebrate Palm Sunday in Alexandria, Egypt, on April 9, 2017.
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  • A general view shows people gathering outside the Mar Girgis Coptic Church, after a bomb blast struck worshippers gathering to celebrate Palm Sunday in the Nile Delta City of Tanta, 75 miles north of Cairo, on April 9, 2017.
    Khaled Desouki—AFP/Getty Images
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  • Forensics analysts collect evidence at the site of a bomb blast, which struck worshippers gathering to celebrate Palm Sunday at the Mar Girgis Coptic Church in the Nile Delta City of Tanta, 75 miles north of Cairo, on April 9, 2017.
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  • Blood and discarded belongings are seen after an explosion hit Saint Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt, on April 9, 2017.
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  • A man sits on a bench outside a church after a bomb attack in the Nile Delta town of Tanta, Egypt, on April 9, 2017.
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By Kenneth Bachor and Mahita Gajanan
April 9, 2017 2:11 PM EDT

At least 43 people were killed and 100 were wounded in bombings at two Coptic churches in Egypt as worshippers were celebrating Palm Sunday.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the twin bombings, which came at the start of the Holy Week ahead of Easter. The first bomb exploded inside St. George’s Church in Tanta, killing about 27 people and wounding 78. The second attack occurred after a suicide bomber rushed toward St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, killing at least 16 people and wounding 41.

Photos from the blasts show scenes of carnage at the churches, with bloodied bodies and lifeless corpses being wheeled away on a cart.

The attack came just weeks before Pope Francis is due to visit Egypt.

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Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com.

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