[Update 7:16 a.m.] The death toll in a car bombing outside a church in Alexandria, Egypt has risen to at least 21, officials say.

[Original post] A car bomb outside a church in Alexandria, Egypt, killed at least seven people and wounded at least 24 others early Saturday, Egyptian state media reported, citing unnamed security officials.

The car bomb exploded at 12:20 a.m. in front of the Church of Two Saints, where Coptic Christians were attending

services, Egypt's Nile TV reported.

A nearby mosque was damaged and eight Muslims were among the injured, according to Egypt's MENA news service.

Egyptian officials are blaming foreign elements for the attack, MENA reported.