Helicopter crash near Yemen kills Saudi officials, prince

By Ramazan Turgut

RIYADH

A group of senior Saudi officials were killed in a helicopter crash Sunday, including Prince Mansour Bin Muqrin, according to Saudi state-run TV channel.

The wreck took place in the kingdom’s southwestern Asir region bordering Yemen.

Prince Mansour Bin Muqrin, Deputy Emir of the Asir region was accompanied with Deputy Emir Salim al-Jerwishi, Emirate General Secretary Saleh bin Abdullah al-Qadi, head of Asir's Regional Agriculture Department Fahd al-Fartish and Asir Regional Police Director Major Salih bin Suleiman al-Qarzai.

A Saudi Arabia Interior Ministry official said they have found the helicopter's wreckage, adding, an investigation has started.

Mansour Et-Turqi, a security spokesperson for the ministry, said communication with the helicopter was lost when it was turning back that evening after visiting the coastline on the western Abha province.

The public will be informed with the latest information, he added.

The cause of the crash is unknown.

Bin Muqrin was also an advisor to Prince Muhammad Bin Nayef who was dismissed from his post in June.

The accident happened a day after Saudi authorities detained 11 princes, four sitting ministers and a dozen former ministers in an anti-corruption purge on Saturday.

According to Saudi media, billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and National Guard minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah were among those detained in the sweep.

The arrests came hours after an anti-corruption committee, under Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, was formed by a royal decree.