November 13, 2001	Tuesday	Shaba’an 26, 1422

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KATHMANDU, Nov 12: The sister-in-law of the Nepalese king died on Monday when a private helicopter carrying her and five others plunged into the kingdom’s largest lake, state television said.

Princess Preksha’s body was recovered from Rara Lake and taken 370 kms southeast to the capital Kathmandu, where it will be cremated, the television said.

Preksha was the widow of Dhirendra, the youngest brother of late king Birendra who was among 10 royals killed in the June 1 palace massacre allegedly carried out by a drunken crown prince Dipendra.

Two other passengers identified as Sharda Singh and medical doctor Rishi Kumar Khatri were pulled out and taken to a hospital in Nepalgunj, 360 kms southwest of Kathmandu, where their condition was said to be serious, state radio said.

Rescue teams continued to search for the remaining three people travelling in the French-built Ecuriel helicopter, operated by the Fishtail Air Service.

The helicopter was flying from Nepalgunj when it lost contact with the airport tower and dived into the lake. The reason for the crash was not known.

The 180-metre deep lake, situated at an altitude of 3,062 metres with a 13-kms radius, is Nepal’s largest.

The three missing passengers from the helicopter were identified as pilot Rabin Kereriya, retired government employee Dan Bahadur Shahi and Iswsor Basnyet.—AFP