Prime minister blames 'accidental' gunfire in Nepal massacre
The massacre of eight members of Nepal's royal family was down to "accidental" automatic weapon fire, it has been claimed.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala blamed "accidental firing of an automatic weapon" for the death of King Birendra, the queen and six other royals.
The shocking attack has left the Himalayan nation with a new king - who allegedly was the gunman - on life support and raised questions about where the monarchy goes from here.
Koirala stopped short of saying Dipendra was the gunman, as other officials had said the previous day.
King Dipendra remains on life support in a hospital and his uncle, Gyanendra, who is little known among Nepalis, is acting king.
By mentioning the gunfire, Koirala went further than the Rising Nepal newspaper, which referred to "an unanticipated incident".
Many ordinary Nepalis refuse to believe the crown prince slaughtered the royal family, reportedly because his mother disapproved of his choice for a bride.
"According to the information we have, the incident happened by an accidental firing of an automatic weapon, seriously injuring the king, the queen, the crown prince and members of the royal family," Koirala said in a statement.
"They were rushed to the hospital, where, despite the efforts of the doctors, his majesty the king passed away."
