A military helicopter crashed in Egypt's North Sinai near Sheikh Zwayed due to technical problems, a security source told the Reuters-affiliated Aswat Masriya Saturday.

The source said there was a technical problem with engine, detailing that the helicopter fell in the area of Shalaq in Sheikh Zwayed.

Eyewitness accounts confirmed seeing a helicopter crash in a desert area near Shalaq.   

Egypt's Sinai has witnessed an escalation in attacks by militants against the army and police since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on 3 July 2013.

More to follow