A private helicopter carrying the sister-in-law of the Nepalese king and five other people crashed into the kingdom's largest lake Monday, state radio said.
A police source said it was unlikely anyone survived the crash of the Fishtail Air Service helicopter into Rara Lake in the northwest of the kingdom.
Princess Preksha Shah is the widow of Dhirendra, the youngest brother of late king Birendra who was among 10 royals killed in the June 1 palace massacre carried out by a drunken crown prince Dipendra.
A rescue helicopter arrived at Rara Lake in the slim hope of recovering the victims, police said.
The 180-meter (590-foot) deep lake, situated at 3,062 meters (10,044 feet) altitude with a 13-kilometer (eight-mile) radius, is Nepal's largest.
The radio said the helicopter, carrying five passengers and a pilot, was flying from southwestern Nepalgunj when it lost contact with the airport tower. The reason for the crash was not immediately known.
Other passengers on the helicopter included Dan Bahadur Shahi, a retired government employee, and Rishi Kumar Khatri, a medical doctor. Two other victims were identified as Sharda Singh and Iswsor Basnyet -- AFP
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