Egypt declares 3-day mourning period following Arish’s Al-Rawdah Mosque attack

CAIRO – 24 November 2017: Egypt announced a three-day mourning period for the victims of the terrorist attack that took place on Friday in the vicinity of Al-Rawdah Mosque, West Arish city, killing at least 54.

A number of terrorists stormed Al-Rawdah Mosque in west Arish City during Friday prayers, and detonated an explosive device.

The Ministry of Health earlier confirmed that 75 were injured in the attack, adding that many were transported to Bir al-Abed hospital in North Sinai. The mosque was also damaged as a result of the bomb.

Eyewitnesses said that the terrorists set fire to cars belonging to local residents and blocked a road in Al-Rawdah Village.

Security and medical sources in the area reported that the police halted traffic on Arish-Qantara Road, and deployed ambulance vehicles to transport the injured to the hospital.

A state of emergency has been ongoing in Egypt since the Palm Sunday twin church attack last April, which killed 45 Copts including children.