Saudi prince killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border

The prince, who served as the deputy governor of the Asir province, was travelling with several other officials, the BBC says citing reports by news channel Al-Ikhbariya.

The wreckage of the plane was found on Monday, the Saudi interior ministry says, and a search is under way for any survivors.

The cause of the crash is yet to be known.

The crash comes a day after an anti-corruption purge in the kingdom, where royals, ministers and investors have been held.

The detentions, by the newly-formed graft watchdog led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, targeted dozens, including 11 princes, four ministers and dozens of former ministers.

The purge against the kingdom's political and business elite also targeted the head of the National Guard, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was detained and replaced as minister of the powerful National Guard by Prince Khaled bin Ayyaf, reports Reuters.

The move is seen as an attempt to tighten grip on power by the future king.

Prince Mansour bin Muqrin, who was killed on Sunday, was the son of another former crown prince.

His father, Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, was pushed aside by his half-brother King Salman a few months after he took the throne in 2015.