Egypt mosque attack: Death toll rises to 235, the deadliest terrorist atrocity in the country's modern history

The death toll in a militant attack on a mosque in Egypt’s north Sinai region has risen to 235, Egyptian state television reported, quoting the public prosecutor. It was more deadly than the October 2015 bombing of a Russian Metrojet flight, which claimed 224 lives. Militants targeted members of Egypt’s security forces attending Friday prayers at the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, near Arish city. They opened fire from four off-road vehicles on worshippers inside the mosque during the sermon, blocking off escape routes from the area by blowing up cars and leaving the burning wrecks blocking the roads, three police officers on the scene said. Resident Ashraf el-Hefny said many of the victims were workers at a nearby salt firm who had come for Friday services at the mosque, which had contained some 300 worshippers. “Local people brought the wounded to hospital on their own cars and trucks,” he said.US President Donald Turmp condemned the “horrible and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenceless worshippers”, while Prime Minister Theresa May said she was “Appalled by the sickening attack”. Egypt's presidency declared a three-day mourning period, as President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi convened a high-level meeting of security officials.