Egypt church attacks: Death toll rises as world leaders condemn Palm Sunday bombings

The death toll following the twin blasts in two Egyptian churches in Egypt has risen to 43.

A total of 27 people were killed and 78 injured in the first attack on the Saint George church in the town of Tanta, the Ministry of Health confirmed.

A second explosion at Saint Mark's Cathedral in the city of Alexandria, left 16 dead and 31 wounded.

Isis have claimed responsibility for both attacks targeting Palm Sunday worshippers, the latest in a series of assaults on Egypt's Christian minority.

Pope Tawadros II was leading the service at St Mark's but escaped unharmed. He told state media: "These acts will not harm the unity and cohesion of the people."

Video footage and images capture the devastation inside the church in Tanta which is strewn with blood, dismembered limbs and bodies of worshippers.

Describing the carnage, eyewitness Vivian Fareeg told Reuters : "There was a huge explosion in the hall. Fire and smoke filled the room and the injuries were extremely severe. I saw the intestines of those injured and legs severed entirely from their bodies."

The perpetrator of the attack was caught on CCTV approaching the gate at St Mark's. Officers manning the entrance are seen instructing him to walk through the metal detector first. As he does so he detonates the device. The three police officers who were killed as they intercepted the suicide bomber have been named as Ahmed Ibrahim, Brigadier General Nagwa El-Haggar and Emad El-Rakiby.

The deadly attacks on Christian worshippers has been met with worldwide condemnation.

Grand Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, head of Egypt's Al-Azhar said it was a "despicable terrorist bombing that targeted the lives of innocents".

Pope Francis who was scheduled to visit Cairo in a matter of weeks sent a message of ''deep condolences to my brother, Pope Tawadros II, the Coptic church and all of the dear Egyptian nation" as he offered prayers for the wounded and the dead.

Calling on the National Defence Council to convene for an emergency summit to address security in the wake of the attacks, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi remained defiant.

"The attack ... will only harden the determination [of the Egyptian people] to move forward on their trajectory to realise security, stability and comprehensive development," he said in a statement.

President Donald Trump responded to the attacks on Twitter writing: "So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt. U.S. strongly condemns. I have great confidence that President Al Sisi will handle situation properly."

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "I am saddened and appalled by these attacks in Egypt, and strongly condemn them. My thoughts are with the Egyptian people and particularly those directly affected by these terrible acts. I offer my condolences to those grieving for lost friends and relatives, and those suffering from injuries.

"The UK continues to stand with Egypt against terrorism. These attacks only strengthen our determination to work together with the Egyptian government and people against this shared threat."

Egypt's Christian minority, accounting for 10% of the 85 million population have been singled out for attacks by Islamist terrorists, including Muslim Brotherhood splinter groups and Isis, since the military overthrew elected president Mohammed Morsi in 2013. Pro-Morsi terrorists blame Christians for supporting the coup.

The group have warned that further attacks would take place.

The Foreign Office reported there were four explosions across Egypt and have advised against all but essential travel to the area west of Nile Valley and Nile Delta, The Independent reports.