Nepal Prime Minister Hurt In Copter Crash

Nepal’s prime minister survived a helicopter crash in the nation’s southwest Monday, escaping with only a fractured shoulder.

The 18-seat Puma army helicopter crashed soon after it took off from Nepalganj, 225 miles southwest of Katmandu, with Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari and seven other high ranking officials aboard, Information Minister Pradip Nepal said.

Adhikari, 74, fractured his right shoulder bone. The other passengers suffered minor injuries.

The group was returning to the capital when crash occurred. Its cause was not immediately known.