President Abdel Fattah al Sisi convened an emergency security meeting soon after the attack, state television reported. Pictured: Victims in the mosque
Not less than 115 people have lost their lives after a gun and bomb attack at a packed mosque in Egypt's North Sinai province today.
It is estimated that another 80 people were injured, state media confirmed, making the attack one of the worst in recent times.
The suspected Islamic State happened near the provincial capital of El-Arish during Friday prayers, police officials have said, at the Al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed.
The victims included civilians and conscripts praying at the mosque.
The attack took place near the provincial capital of El-Arish during Friday prayers, at Al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed
An improvised explosive device (IED) is believed to have been used to attack the worshipers.
The attack took place near the provincial capital of El-Arish during Friday prayers, at Al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed
An improvised explosive device (IED) is believed to have been used to attack the worshipers.
The bomb was followed-up by machine gunfire from several gunmen.
Police said militants in four off-road vehicles bombed the mosque and fired on worshipers during the sermon segment of Friday prayers.
The Police also said that IS militants had blocked escape routes from the area by blowing up cars and leaving the burning wrecks blocking the roads.
A tribal leader and head of a Bedouin militia that fights Islamic State told AFP that the mosque is known as a place of gathering for Sufis.
The Islamic State group shares the puritan Salafi view of Sufis as heretics for seeking the intercession of saints.
Police said militants in four off-road vehicles bombed the mosque and fired on worshipers during the sermon segment of Friday prayers. Pictured: Al-Rawdah mosque
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