13 soldiers have been killed after a Turkish military helicopter crashed in the south-east of the country, officials say.

The crash happened shortly before 9pm local time, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

The incident happened only minutes after the helicopter took off from a base in the Sirnak province, near the country's border with Iraq.

The helicopter is said to have hit a high-voltage line.

Turkish armed forces say an investigation into the crash has been launched.