DFA: Egypt OFWs safe after botched terror plot

Almost a thousand overseas Filipino workers were spared from possible harm after Egyptian authorities thwarted a suicide bombing attack outside a Coptic church located about 100 kilometers from the capital city of Cairo, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt said over the weekend.

In a statement, the Philippine Ambassador to Cairo Leslie Baja said all Filipinos working in a petrochemical plant near the original target of the foiled attack are safe and that the only casualty in the incident was the alleged suicide bomber.

Reports said the incident happened outside the Coptic Virgin Mary Church in the suburban Qalyubia Governorate, north of Cairo, on Saturday.

The bomber reportedly died after detonating an explosive belt on a bridge outside the church after he was refused entry by authorities.

Baja assured that the embassy remains in touch with the Filipino workers who later informed him that the plant was placed on lockdown immediately after the suicide bomber detonated himself about 250 meters from the church.

The Filipino envoy said operations at the Korean-run construction site where the Filipinos are employed have returned to normal with additional security measures being implemented shortly after the incident.

Egyptian authorities said the attempted bombing reportedly targeted worshipers celebrating the yearly Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the failed attack.