Senior Saudi Officials Including a Prince Killed in Helicopter Crash

A group of senior Saudi officials including Prince Mansour Bin Muqrin were killed in an helicopter crash at the south western 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, according to Saudi state-run TV channel Monday.

The cause of the wreckage has not been ascertained.  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.

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.