Many feared dead after Nepal helicopter crash
The helicopter could have crashed in rugged mountainous territory
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Saturday, 23, Sep 2006 07:01
Up to 24 people are feared to have died following the crash of a private helicopter in the east of Nepal.
Among the missing are a junior Nepalese minister and seven employees of international nature organisation WWF, two of which are from the UK branch.
The helicopter flight was making a 20-minute journey from Kathmandu to a remote village so that its passengers could conduct a ceremony handing a conservation project over to the local community from the government, according to media reports.
Also on board were a Finnish diplomat, two US citizens and an Australian.
WWF has been informed that a helicopter carrying 24 people, including seven WWF employees, has gone missing in Nepal," WWF said in a statement earlier today.
"We have also received reports that the weather is hampering the search for the missing helicopter."
The two members of WWF UK are not believed to be British. The helicopter, made in Russia, was being operated by a local civilian air company, Sri Airlines.