An alleged suicide attack that targeted a mosque in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, was foiled by Saudi security forces.

The attack was meant to take place during Friday prayers inside the mosque, according to a Saudi Interior Ministry official spokesman.

The Saudi interior ministry confirmed, however, that four people were killed after a car exploded in a parking lot near the mosque.

Pictures showed black smoke pillowing to the sky at the entrance of the mosque.

According to initial reports, the alleged suicide bomber was disguised as a woman and attempted to blow himself up inside the women section of the mosque.