Egypt mosque attack: Bomb and gun assault in North Sinai kills at least 235 people - as it happened

People walk outside a mosque that was attacked in the northern city of Arish, Sinai Peninsula (EPA)

At least 235 people have been killed after suspected militants set off a bomb and opened fire at a mosque in Egypt's restive northern Sinai province.

The attack on Friday targeted supporters of the security forces attending prayers there, two eyewitnesses and a security source said.

Eyewitnesses at Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, near Arish city, told local media ambulances rushed to take the wounded to nearby hospitals.

A total of 235 people had been confirmed dead, a health ministry spokesperson said, adding it is feared the toll will rise.

Egypt has been fighting a vicious Isis insurgency in Sinai for the last three years. Friday's attack comes after a spate of recent bombings targeting the police and army.

While most militant attacks target the security forces, hundreds of civilians have been killed in the violence. Attacks outside the region have targeted Egypt's Christian minority.

President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has convened an emergency security meeting in Cairo.

Key Points

• Suspected militants set off a bomb and opened fire at a mosque in northern Sinai province
• At least 235 people dead, health ministry spokesperson says
• No claim of responsibility, but Egyptian military has been fighting Isis insurgency in Sinai for three years

[24 November 2017 20:38 · Kristin Hugo]

We are now ending our coverage of the attack in Sinai. Thanks for reading.

A full report on the massacre is here:

Terror attack killing 235 Muslims praying on Friday is an 'unprecedented' atrocity in Egypt