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Egypt mosque attack: 'Gunmen on 4x4s shoot at people fleeing bomb blast' killing at least 235 Egypt mosque attack: 'Gunmen on 4x4s shoot at people fleeing bomb blast' killing at least 235
(about 1 hour later)
At least 235 people have been killed after suspected militants set off a suicide bomb and opened fire at a mosque in Egypt's restive northern Sinai province.  At least 235 people have been killed after suspected militants set off a suicide bomb and opened fire at a mosque in Egypt's restive northern Sinai province in the worst religious extremism attack the country has ever faced.  
The attack on Friday - one of the worst terror incidents in Egypt in years - targeted supporters of the security forces attending prayers there, two eyewitnesses and a security source said. The attack on Friday targeted supporters of the security forces attending prayers there, two eyewitnesses and a security source said.
Four off-road vehicles arrived at the majority-Sufi Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, near Arish city, during the sermon section of prayers. Survivors told local media that those who were not killed in the blast and tried to run away were gunned down. Four off-road vehicles arrived at the majority-Sufi Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, near Arish city, during the sermon section of prayers. Survivors told local media that those who were not killed in the blast and tried to run away were gunned down. 
Unverified pictures on social media showed dozens of bodies, clothes soaked with blood, laid out on the mosque's floor.  Others showed ambulances lining up at the mosque's entrance to take the wounded to nearby hospitals. Unverified pictures on social media showed dozens of bodies, clothes soaked with blood, laid out on the mosque's floor.  Others showed ambulances lining up at the mosque's entrance to take the wounded to nearby hospitals. 
Death tolls from the attack vary. A health ministry spokesperson initially said that 75 people were killed, adding it is feared the casualty count will rise. State media reported that 75 people had been injured, but some estimates put the figure as high as 130.  While no claim of responsibility has yet been made, Egypt has been fighting several extremist groups in the Sinai since 2014, including an Isis-affiliated insurgency. Extremism there has flourished amid the chaos that has engulfed the country since the 2011 revolution.
While no claim of responsibility has yet been made, Egypt has been fighting several extremist groups in the Sinai since 2014, including an Isis-affiliated insurgency. Extremism there has flourished in the chaos that has engulfed the country since the 2011 revolution.
Friday's incident comes after a September attack on a police convoy near the town, which killed 18 people. It was claimed by the Sinai Group, which pledged allegiance to Isis in 2014. Friday's incident comes after a September attack on a police convoy near the town, which killed 18 people. It was claimed by the Sinai Group, which pledged allegiance to Isis in 2014. 
While the majority of the Sinai Group’s operations primarily target the police, army and other security forces, the Isis affiliate has also carried out suicide bomb attacks and executions of Sufi Muslims, whose interpretation of Islam they consider heretical. While the majority of the Sinai Group’s operations primarily target the police, army and other security forces, the Isis affiliate has also carried out suicide bomb attacks and executions of Sufi Muslims, whose interpretation of Islam they consider heretical. 
Outside of the Sinai, Egypt’s 10 per cent Christian minority has been a frequent target for extremists, killing dozens of people in attacks on churches. Outside of the Sinai, Egypt’s 10 per cent Christian minority has been a frequent target for extremists, killing dozens of people in attacks on churches. 
President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has convened an emergency security cabinet meeting in Cairo and declared three days of national mourning. President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has convened an emergency security cabinet meeting in Cairo and declared three days of national mourning. 
There is growing public anger in Egypt at the government’s seemingly inability to prevent suicide bombings and other terror attacks.There is growing public anger in Egypt at the government’s seemingly inability to prevent suicide bombings and other terror attacks.
A six-month-long state of emergency was lifted in October.A six-month-long state of emergency was lifted in October.