Pope Francis (R) and Coptic Pope Tawadros II light a candle at Saint Peter and Saint Paul church in Cairo on 28 April 2017 (AFP)

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The attack in Minya province came after church bombings in December and April claimed by the Islamic State group

Gunmen attacked a group of Coptic Christians as they were driving to a monastery south of Cairo on Friday, killing 26 and wounding a further 26, medical sources and eyewitnesses said.

The group was travelling in two buses and a truck through the province, which is home to a sizeable Christian minority, he said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called a meeting of security officials following the attack, the state news agency said.

The attack in Minya province came after church bombings in December and April claimed by the Islamic State group that killed dozens of Egypt's Coptic Christians.

IS had threatened more attacks against the Coptic population, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 92 million.

About 70 have been killed in bomb attacks on churches in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria and Tanta since December. 

The attacks prompted Sisi to declare a three-month state of emergency.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday's attack.