Report: Turkish officials say 17 soldiers killed in helicopter crash in southeast Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish media say 17 soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash in the country's southeast.

Channel 24 says the helicopter crashed in the district of Pervari in Siirt province on Saturday morning. It cites the provincial governor, Ahmet Aydin.

State-run TRT television says the crash occurred in heavy fog in a mountainous area.

Authorities are investigating the cause. Kurdish rebels are active in the area.