A small bomb planted by suspected Maoist rebels has exploded in front of the chief justice's home in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.

Investigators appointed by Nepal’s new monarch to investigate the royal family massacre were racing today to complete it on time.

An official week of mourning ended in Nepal today as investigators raced against their deadline for unravelling the royal family’s massacre in the Narayanhiti palace.

The Nepalese capital was still under curfew and in turmoil tonight - with hundreds of tourist trapped in a kingdom that does not trust its new ruler.

British embassy staff have rescued 26 tourists trapped at Kathmandu airport after a day of violence following the massacre of Nepal’s royal family, the Foreign Office said.