Death Toll of Nepali Royal Family Reaches 8With three more members of Nepali royal family confirmed dead on Sunday, June 3, the death toll of the royal family has reached eight.Beside King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, the king's younger son, Princess Shruti, the king's daughter and the princess's daughter Jayanti, those who were killed in a tragic drama of the royal family Friday night include Princess Shanti, king's elder sister, Princess Sharada, king's younger sister and Kumar Shah, Shruti's husband and king's son-in-law, said Nepali Prime Minister Girija Koirala in a condolence message. Delivering the condolence on Nepal Television late Saturday night, Koirala appealed to all the Nepali people to exercise perseverance in times of such national mourning. Expressing heartfelt tributes to the late king, queen and other members of the royal family and praying for eternal peace to the departed souls, the prime minister urged the Nepali people to offer worships in keeping with religious traditions and faiths and maintain the unity of the country. Television news said Sunday morning that Prince Dhirendra, king 's younger brother, and some other members of the royal family are seriously injured. Though no official reason was given to the deaths and injuries of the royal family, unconfirmed reports said that Crown Prince Dipendra shot the family dead before turning the gun to himself due to disputes over his marriage. Queen Aishwarya is reportedly opposed to Dipendra's choice of bride. Dipendra is said to be in critical condition. |
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