Egypt’s Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Tuesday that security forces have discovered and diffused an improvised explosive device (IED) loaded with 250 kilograms of TNT in the Abu El-Hassien area in the town of Bir El-Abd, North Sinai.

Security forces have cordoned the area where they located the IED, which was placed inside a barrel loaded with a highly explosive TNT charge planted on the coastal Al-Arish and Kantara road.

“Police forces are currently combing the area after safely detonating the IED,” the statement said.

On 24 November, Bir El-Abd was the scene of the worst terrorist attack in Egypt’s recent memory, when militants attacked worshippers at Al-Rawda Mosque, killing 311 people, including 27 children, and injuring over 100.

Shortly after the Al-Rawda attack, Egyptian air forces carried out airstrikes in North Sinai against hideouts used by terrorists believed to be involved in the deadly massacre.