An explosion outside a church in Egypt killed at least 21 people early Saturday, state media said.

Egypt's health ministry said 79 people were wounded in the attack in Alexandria, the country's official Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.

State-run Nile TV showed firefighters battling a blaze at the scene.

A car parked in front of the Church of Two Saints exploded shortly after midnight, Egypt's interior ministry said. Coptic Christians were attending services there at the time of the blast, Nile TV reported.

The car was filled with explosives, Nile TV reported, citing the interior ministry.

The blast hit worshippers as they left a new year's service at the al-Qidiseen church shortly after midnight.

Christians and Muslims clashed briefly after the attack.

"It is likely that the device which exploded was carried by a suicide bomber who died among others," Egypt's interior ministry said in a statement.

A nearby mosque was damaged and eight Muslims were among the wounded, the interior ministry said.

It is not known who carried out the attack, but Egyptian officials believe it was the work of a suicide bomber.

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