Scores dead, many injured as Explosion rocks Mosque in Egypt’s Northern Sinai (PHOTO)

The attack struck the mosque during Friday prayers. Egypt has been fighting jihadist militants in the northern Sinai Peninsula since they had pledged allegiance to Daesh in 2014.  An explosion has occurred at Al Rawdah mosque, west of El Arish city in the north of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing at least 235, state television reported Friday, citing the public prosecutor.

While the death toll may further rise, Egypt’s Health Ministry official data previously suggested that at least 75 people were killed or injured in the attack in the mosque, which used to be attended by hundreds.

#UPDATE: Images from the scene more than 75 dead and hundreds wounded after explosion at mosque in Al-Arish #Sinai #Egypt pic.twitter.com/KzBxxZQfH2

— News Breaker (@NewsBreaker101) November 24, 2017

While there have been conflicting reports on the number of casualties, there may be up to 150 injured in the blast.

+18 من محيط مستشفي #بئر_العبد الآن .#سيناء#سيناءنيوز pic.twitter.com/SWjDuiEfLh

— Sinai News – سيناء نيوز (@sinai_news_1) November 24, 2017

​WARNING: The following photos are graphic and may offend sensibilities

صور بعد الهجوم الارهابي علي مسجد #الروضة غرب مدينة #العريش منذ قليل .#سيناء#سيناءنيوز pic.twitter.com/ubBl1y7bRq

— Sinai News – سيناء نيوز (@sinai_news_1) November 24, 2017

According to Sky News Arabia, the explosion that took place during Friday’s prayers has been followed by gunfire, with the Health Ministry sending dozens of ambulances to the scene.

According to an Egyptian lawmaker, the terrorists were masked and surrounded the mosque during prayers, then they entered the building, with a number of militants wearing explosive belts.

#عاجل … انفجار بمحيط أحد مساجد #العريش وأنباء عن إصاباتhttps://t.co/DTFaiHzx1P

— جريدة الدستور (@ElDostorEgypt) November 24, 2017

The Egyptian security forces have cordoned off the site of the explosion and are searching for remaining terrorists. Egyptian President Sisi is reportedly set to hold a top-level emergency security meeting, while the authorities have declared a three-day mourning over the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, however, Egypt has been fighting a jihadist insurgency in the northern Sinai Peninsula since the army overthrew then-President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. The militants on the Sinai pledged allegiance to Daesh terrorist group in 2014, and have claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks in the region since then.