CAIRO, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Egypt security officials said on Thursday that a drive-by shooting killed at least 6 people leaving Coptic Christmas Mass in southern part of the country.

The attack took place in early morning in the town of Nag Hamady, some 60 km from Luxor, the biggest city in the underdeveloped south of the country.

A report on the local website of Masrawy said seven Coptic Christians, one Muslim were killed and 21 others were injured, including five in critical conditions, said

The Copts were reported leaving a church after the Christmas eve service when a car pulled up in front of the building and opened fire. Several Muslims passing the church were also injured, security sources said.

Christians, mostly Coptic, account for about 10 percent of Egypt's predominantly Muslim population.

Religious disputes between the Christians and Muslims erupted occasionally in southern Egypt, and Christians have increasingly complained about discrimination by the Muslim majority.