- publish: 24 November 2017
- time: 8:03 pm
- category: International
- No: 5188
At least 235 dead and scores injured after militants attacked mosque in Egypt
At least 235 worshippers were killed and more than a 100 were injured after suspected militants set off a bomb and opened fire at a mosque in Egypt’s restive northern Sinai on Nov. 24 following Friday prayers.
The extremists launched an attack on the al-Rawdah mosque in the town of Bir al-Abd, some 25 miles from the North Sinai provincial capital of el-Arish, Egypt’s state news agency MENA reported.
The attack appeared to be the latest by the area’s local Islamic State affiliate.
The security officers said the men opened fire on worshipers during prayers while driving in off-road vehicles.
A Ministry of Health spokesman said the terrorists set off a bomb during the attack.
“They (the extremists) were shooting at people as they left the mosque,” a resident told Reuters.
“They were shooting at the ambulances too,” the resident continued.
The victims were reportedly being transported to hospitals to be treated. Security officials told local media ISIS militants were blocking escape routes from the area by blowing up cars and leaving the burning wrecks in the street.
The BBC reported Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will meet with security forces Friday. Sky News reported the Egyptian Government declared a three day period of mourning following the mosque attack.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.