Dozens killed and injured in Egypt attack

Coptic Christians at a funeral service for the victims of the attack. Photo: AP

Masked gunmen have opened fire on two busloads of people in Egypt, killing 24 and wounding 25.

The attack, on a bus carrying Coptic Christians, happened 220km south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The bus was traveling on the road to the St Samuel Monastery in the Minya governorate, the health ministry said.

The ministry said there were between eight and 10 attackers dressed in military uniforms, according to witnesses.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which came on the eve of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

Egypt has seen a series of attacks on Christians.

There was suicide bombings in April and another attack in December on a Cairo church that left more than 75 people dead and many injured.

The Islamic State group in Egypt claimed responsibility for them and said there would be more attacks.