Alexandria (Egypt), Jan 1 (DPA) At least 10 people were killed and six injured Saturday in a blast outside a church in the north Egyptian city of Alexandria, according to witnesses and security sources.

Witnesses said that a car that was parked outside the church exploded shortly after midnight and that ambulances were moving the victims to nearby hospitals.

The attack targeted Coptic Christians who were attending the New Year mass at the church.

Christians account for roughly 10 per cent of Egypt's population, according to official figures.

While violence between the country's Christian and Muslim
populations is rare, tensions have been high since last January's shooting when Gunmen opened fire on parishioners leaving a church in in the south of the country.

The attack left eight Christians and one Muslim policeman guarding the church dead.

In November, clashes took place when Christians protested against a decision by the authorities to halt construction of a church in a Cairo suburb. Violence left one Christian dead and several injured, while dozens were arrested.