Suspected militants have launched a bomb and gun attack on a mosque in Egypt’s North Sinai province, killing 85 people, the state news agency says. Although there are reports that the death toll has risen to a disturbing 115 in the deadly attack.
Witnesses told Egyptian media it happened in the town of Bir al-Abed near al-Arish during Friday prayers.
Local police said men in four off-road vehicles opened fire on worshippers, AP reported.
Egypt has been fighting an Islamist insurgency in the region, which has intensified since 2013.
Some 80 people were also wounded in the attack, health officials said.
One report said the target appeared to be supporters of the security forces who were praying at the mosque.
President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is to meet security officials to discuss the incident, Egypt’s private Extra News TV reported.
It is not yet known who was behind Friday’s attack as no terrorist group has come out to claim responsibility.
Jihadist militants have been waging an insurgency in recent years, stepping up attacks after Egypt’s military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013.
Source: BBC
