CAIRO: A car bomb exploded outside a hotel housing election judges in Egypt's North Sinai on Tuesday, killing at least four policemen and injuring 12 people, security and medical sources said.

The blasts in the provincial capital of al-Arish came a day after the second round of a parliamentary election closed. Egyptian state television also reported the incident.

A suicide bomber tried to drive a car bomb into the hotel before security forces opened fire on him, causing the car to explode, security sources said. At least two judges were among the injured, authorities added.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Islamic State's Egypt affiliate, Sinai Province, has carried out similar attacks in the region as part of its bid to topple the Cairo government.

State television and security sources first said a car bomb exploded then a second blast hit the area about ten minutes later.

Ambulances rushed to the scene, which was sealed off by soldiers and police, said the security sources.