235 worshippers have reportedly lost their lives after insurgents perpetrated an explosive and gun attack on al-Rawda mosque in the town of Bir al-Abed, near al-Arish in Egypt's North Sinai province, during Friday prayers.
The attack has been described as the deadliest since an Islamist insurgency in the peninsula was stepped up in 2013.
Pictures from the scene depicts gory images of killed victims inside the mosque which was visited by mostly followers of Sufism, or Islamic mysticism. Also about 100 other people were reportedly wounded.
President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt who has declared three days of mourning has held emergency talks with security officials shortly after the attack to come to a decision on a proper respond.
Policemen disclosed that unknown persons numbering about forty wielding guns arrived in four SUVs and detonated bombs in the crowded mosque before opening fire on worshippers as they made attempt to escape.
The assailants also set ablaze parked vehicles around the mosque to deny access.
However no group has come forward to claim responsibility for the dastardly act which is referred to as the deadliest in modern Egyptian history.
Northern Sinai which has been under state of emergency for sometime now has been a hot spot for Islamist militants who have been operating in the area for many years and it is considered 'no go' area for media organisations.
While the army has continued to release statements claiming victory in some parts of Sinai, the regularity of attacks seem unabated as there seems to be no end in sight to the battle between the army and militants.
Policemen, soldiers and civilians have been killed in their hundreds since the July 2013 mass anti-government protests after Egypt's military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi
The Sinai Province group which is affiliated to IS have been fingered in most of this unending attacks.
In September, at least 18 policemen were killed when the group attacked a convoy near al-Arish.
Sinai Province has claimed numerous attacks in their quest to take control of the Sinai Peninsula in order to make it an Islamist province run by IS including the bombing of a Russian plane in Sinai in 2015, which killed 224 Coptic Christians in the country.
US President Donald Trump has condemned the attack referring to it as "horrible and cowardly". French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed condolences to these families of those killed in the "despicable attack".
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the attack as a "terrifying crime which again shows that Islam is innocent of those who follow extremist terrorist ideology".
UK Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted: "Appalled by the sickening attack on a mosque in North Sinai. Condolences with all those in #Egypt affected by this evil and cowardly act."
