Kuwait's interior ministry says there's been a number of arrests in connection with a suicide bombing at a mosque.

27 people died and 200 others were hurt in the blast, for which Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

A suicide bomber blew himself up during Friday prayers, in what is thought to be the first attack on a Shi'ite mosque in the country.

Among those being questioned is the owner of the vehicle which the attacker used to get to the mosque.

Kuwait's leading Sunni cleric, Sheikh Ajeel al-Nashmi, yesterday described the bombing as a "criminal act aimed at sowing seeds of discord, and undoubtedly Shiites and Sunnis will foil the terrorists' plot."

A day of national mourning has been declared in the country.