At least 235 people died and 125 injured on Friday in Egypt’s North Sinai province after militants set off a bomb and opened fire in a mosque, The Telegraph reported. The attack took place during Friday prayers at the Al Rawdah Mosque in Bir al-Abed, around 50 km west of North Sinai Capital El-Arish.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

This is one of the deadliest attacks in the region. Images on social media showed bloodied bodies covered with sheets.

Three unidentified police officials told AP that men in four vehicles opened fire on worshippers at the mosque. Nearly 30 ambulances were deployed to the scene to take the injured to nearby hospitals, reported Express.

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The government has declared three days of mourning, reported Reuters. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi convened a security meet after the attack.

The strike comes a month after 54 policemen were killed in Cairo after a raid on a militant hideout led to a gunfight.