- Dozens of people killed after the gun and bomb attack at Egyptian mosque today
- The mosque was packed for Friday prayers when the gunmen unleashed carnage
- At least 75 are also reported to have been injured as medics rush to the scene
At least 54 people have been killed after a gun and bomb attack at a packed mosque in Egypt’s North Sinai province today.
Another 75 people are reported to have been injured.
The attack took place near the provincial capital of El-Arish during Friday prayers, police officials said, at the Al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed.
The attack took place near the provincial capital of El-Arish during Friday prayers, police officials said, at Al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed
An improvised explosive device (IED) is believed to have been used to target the worshipers.
The bomb was followed-up by machine gunfire from multiple gunmen.
President Abdel Fattah al Sisi convened an emergency security meeting soon after the attack, state television reported.
Egypt’s security forces are battling an Islamic State insurgency in north Sinai, where militants have killed hundreds of police and soldiers since fighting there intensified over the last three years.
Militants have mostly targeted security forces in their attacks, but have also tried to expand beyond the peninsula by hitting Egyptian Christian churches and pilgrims.
More to follow.