SLAUGHTER AT THE ALTAR Shocking CCTV shows moment suicide bomb blast rips through Egyptian Coptic Christian church as two ISIS attacks leave 47 dead and hundreds injured.

Coptic churches in Alexandria and Tanta targeted by ISIS in blasts as Egyptian Christians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter.

HORRIFYING CCTV footage shows the moment a blast from a suicide bomber ripped through a church in Alexandria as attacks on two religious sites in Egypt claimed the lives of at least 47 people.

Hundreds were injured as bombs ripped through two churches within hours of each other, in attacks claimed by ISIS.

The first deadly explosion took place this morning at St George's Coptic Church in Tanta, 70 miles north of Cairo, killing 29 people and wounding 78 others.

Officials said the blast happened ''in the front rows, near the altar, during the mass'' as worshippers celebrated Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter, which marks the start of Holy Week for Christians.

Horrifying footage and images posted on social media appears to show the aftermath as crowds gathered around dead bodies and large blood stains on the pews and church walls.

Hours later, a suicide bomber carried out the second attack outside St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria - killing 18 people and injuring 66 others, the Egyptian health ministry confirmed.

CCTV footage shows the moment the blast ripped through the church sending bricks and wood flying.

Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic church, had earlier attended mass in Alexandria - he was not harmed in the attack.

Three Egyptian police officers were among those killed in Alexandria, after they stopped a suicide bomber from entering the cathedral.

The dead officers, including a policewoman, were named Ahmed Ibrahim, Brigadier General Nagwa El-Haggar and Emad El-Rakiby.

Egypt’s interior ministry said the suicide bomber blew himself up after security force assigned to protect the cathedral prevented him from entering the church.

ISIS claimed responsibility for both attacks through its Amaq news agency.

Pope Francis, who is due to visit Egypt later this month, condemned the attacks.

He sent his ''deep condolences'' to the ''dear Egyptian nation'' and his ''beloved brother'' Pope Tawadros II.

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi  has ordered emergency deployment of troops to assist police in protecting vital facilities across country.

The Egyptian president also announced three days of national mourning in light of the attacks.

Speaking to Nile TV about the Tanta blast, governor Ahmad Deif said: "Either a bomb was planted or someone blew himself up."

A witness told the Reuters news agency: "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 church bombings comes days after Donald Trump welcomed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Washington for talks on fighting ISIS to bolstering Egypt's flailing economy.

The US president tweeted: "So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt. The US strongly condemns. I have great confidence that President Al Sisi will handle the situation properly."

In a statement, Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK said: "What is undeniable is the senseless and heartless brutality that can lead a person or people to indiscriminately take innocent lives, especially at the most vulnerable hour of prayer.

"Today we suffer with our sisters and brothers who have experienced losses in London, in Stockholm, and as well as those who continue to suffer on a daily basis across the Middle East.

"We pray for them and their families as well as their suffering and struggling communities."

It is the second time Coptic Christians in Egypt have been attacked in six months.

Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack - and warned of more against Copts, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's population.

Egypt is home to around nine million Coptic Christians and have repeatedly been targeted by Islamic extremists.

The country's Christian community has seen a wave of attacks by extremists since the toppling of Hosni Mubarak's regime in 2011.

In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State.

Copts also often faced regular attacks by Muslim neighbours - who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas - usually in anger over an alleged inter-faith romance or the construction of church.

They say they face daily discrimination and are sidelined from many jobs in the police, justice system and universities.

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