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The
Late Royal Family: The Former Royal Family - Royal tragedy July 2001 |
| Nepal: The Royal Tragedy 2001 |
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Princess
Preksha killed in air crash
Kathmandu,
November 12, 2001
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A
helicopter carrying six people including a member of the Nepalese royal
family has crashed near the Rara lake Monday morning shortly after take-off
in north-western Nepal.
Princess Prekshya, who is the younger sister of
Nepal's Queen Komal, died in the accident. Two unmarried daughters of the
Princess, Sheetasma and Dilasha, who accompanied their mother to far west
Nepal returned to the capital. The authorities say that rescue helicopters
have reached the crash site near Lake Rara some 550 km (340 miles) from
Kathmandu.
The cause of the crash was not known. The 180-metre (590-foot)
deep lake, situated at 3,062 metres (10,044 feet) altitude with a 13-kilometre
(eight-mile) radius, is Nepal's largest. |
The
body of Princess Prekshya was flown to the Kathmandu for cremation
at the Pashupatinath Aryaghat. The helicopter in which she was traveling
crashed . She will be cremated with full state honours. The funeral procession
will started at Tribhuvan International Airport airport. Police and
gun toting soldiers lined the deserted street from the airport to Pashupati.
Flags will be flown at half staff over government buildings and Royal Nepali
embassies abroad .
Princess
Prekshya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, 49, married Dhirendra Shah, younger brother
of King Gyanendra, in 1973.
She has three daughters, Princess's Pooja,
Sheetasma and Dilasha. She is the sister of Queen Komal. She had her early
education at St Mary's Convent and Darjeeling and had an I.A. degree from
Tribhuvan University; Madhyama in sitar playing from Kalanidhi Music College.
She accompanied then Prince Dhirendra on the coronation of Bhutanese King
Jigme Singye Wangchuk. Dhirendra Shah died in the June 1 Narayanhiti royal
palace shoot-out.
Princess
Prekshya was the ex-wife of late Prince Dhirendra, the younger brother
of King Gyanendra.
More
than five months ago on June 1, 14 members of The Former Royal Family were killed
or injured in a royal palace shoot-out started by Crown Prince Dipendra.
King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya died in the shooting spree. Princess
Prekshya was not present at the evening party shoot-out. Princess Preksha's
husband died in the palace massacre
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