ETHIOPIAN state media are reporting that a military helicopter has crashed and killed all 18 people on board, including two children.

Police official Aschalew Alemu told the Ethiopian News Agency that the crash occurred on Thursday morning in the Oromia region.

The helicopter was travelling from the eastern city of Dire Dawa to an air base in Bishoftu town southeast of the capital Addis Ababa.

Mr Aschalew said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported that 15 military personnel and three civilians are dead.

There were no immediate details about the cause of the crash. In 2013, an Ethiopian military cargo plane crashed in Mogadishu, killing four crew members.

More to come