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CAIRO (Reuters) - Five Coptic Christians were killed and 10 people wounded, including two Muslims, in a drive-by shooting in front of a church in southern Egypt, security sources said Thursday.

The attack was staged at midnight on the Coptic Christmas eve.

The five Copts were leaving Mary Gergis Church in the city of Nagaa Hamady after the Christmas eve service when a dark car pulled up in front of the building and unknown assailants opened fire. Two Muslims passing the church were also injured, security sources said.

Coptic Christians in Egypt celebrate Christmas on January 7.

Christians account for about 10 percent of Egypt's majority-Muslim population of roughly 80 million. Sectarian violence is rare, but religious disputes over issues including land or women occasionally erupt.

Nagaa Hamady is about 60 km (40 miles) from Luxor, the biggest city in the relatively underdeveloped south of the country. Security around churches is usually increased around Christmas and other religious holidays to prevent sectarian violence.

Medical sources at Qena General Hospital said two of the 10 were critically injured. All had gunshot wounds.