Princess Prekshya, sister of Queen Komal, and four other passengers died when their helicopter crashed into Rara Lake in western Nepal shortly after takeoff on Monday morning, sources close to the family said.

Details were sketchy, but the French-built Ecuriel helicopter belonging to Fishtail Air with six people on board was making a stopover at the remote and scenic lake on the way to Nepalgunj where the Princess was to have graced a function. Aviation sources confirmed that the helicopter had crashed.

One doctor on board is said to have survived, but the sources said five of the other passengers were dead. Rescue helicopters have flown from Kathmandu and Pokhara to the crash site.

Princess Prekshya was the ex-wife of late Prince Dhirendra, the younger brother of King Gyanendra