The European Union has expressed concern at Sunday's bomb attack outside the Egyptian foreign ministry in Cairo.

The bombing, caused by an improvised explosive device, killed two police personnel and injured nine police and civilians.

"Our thoughts are with the victims of this heinous act, and their families. We reiterate the EU's condemnation of terrorism in all its forms," the statement read.

The explosion took place outside the ministry's Gate 3, in the bustling downtown neighbourhood of Boulaq Abu El-Ela. Traffic was especially heavy that day, as it marked the first day of term in most state schools.

Over the past year, bombings have repeatedly targeted police personnel, following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, killing hundreds of officers and soldiers.

In June, ahead of the 30 June protests anniversary, three explosions struck near the Ittihadiya presidential palace in the Heliopolis area of Cairo, killing two policemen.

In January, four explosions struck in Greater Cairo – most notably at the Cairo Security Directorate – killing six people, on the eve of the 2011 uprising anniversary.

Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based Jihadist group, has claimed responsibility for most of the recent terrorist attacks. However, Egypt's government continues to blame the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which ousted Mohamed Morsi hails, for these attacks.

The Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organisation by Egypt's government last December.