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Helicopter missing in east Nepal Helicopter missing in east Nepal
(about 2 hours later)
A helicopter carrying 24 people, including WWF conservationists from the UK and US, has gone missing in a mountainous area of eastern Nepal. A helicopter carrying 24 people, including WWF conservationists from the US, Canada and Australia, has gone missing in eastern Nepal.
The helicopter lost radio contact during bad weather. It is not clear whether it crashed or was forced to make an emergency landing.The helicopter lost radio contact during bad weather. It is not clear whether it crashed or was forced to make an emergency landing.
The helicopter took off on a short flight from the district of Taplejung. The helicopter took off from the mountainous district of Taplejung.
A Finnish diplomat, two Russians and several Nepalis were on board, including a junior forestry minister.A Finnish diplomat, two Russians and several Nepalis were on board, including a junior forestry minister.
WWF said two of the passengers were from its UK branch and two were from the US branch. Two prominent Nepali conservationists and a renowned Nepali anthropologist were also on board, as was an American aid worker from the organisation USAid.
Two prominent Nepali conservationists and a renowned Nepali anthropologist were also on board.
The helicopter party was returning from a landmark ceremony to hand over the Kangenjunga conservation area from the government to the local community.The helicopter party was returning from a landmark ceremony to hand over the Kangenjunga conservation area from the government to the local community.
The helicopter had been on a 20-minute flight to a local airport, where the passengers had been due to take a flight to the capital, Kathmandu.The helicopter had been on a 20-minute flight to a local airport, where the passengers had been due to take a flight to the capital, Kathmandu.
Bad weather forced a rescue helicopter to suspend its search, but two rescue teams were heading to the area on foot, setting off from opposite directions.Bad weather forced a rescue helicopter to suspend its search, but two rescue teams were heading to the area on foot, setting off from opposite directions.