At least 85 people were killed and 80 more wounded when suspected militants targeted a mosque in Egypt's north Sinai with a bomb and gunfire, MENA state news agency said on Friday, citing an official source.
Worshippers were at the mosque during the Friday prayers when masked attackers set off a bomb and opened fire at the mosque, targeting supporters of the security forces attending prayers there. Gunmen lying in wait also opened fire on the survivors fleeing out from the mosque after the explosion.
Eyewitnesses reported ambulances ferrying casualties from the scene to nearby hospitals after the attack on Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of Arish city.
As wounded worshippers were being rushed to the hospital in ambulances, gunmen attacked some of the ambulances and shot dead the survivors. Eyewitnesses reported around 30 ambulances were seen ferrying wounded from the scene to nearby hospitals. Shocking photos show dozens of bodies lying on the mosque floor covered by blankets. Other images show smoke rising from a damaged building.
President Abdel Fattah al Sisi convened an emergency security meeting soon after the attack, state television reported.
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