KING Gyanendra dismissed Nepal’s government and imposed a state of emergency yesterday, cutting off his Himalayan nation from the rest of the world as telephone and internet lines were severed, flights diverted and civil liberties severely curtailed.

A helicopter carrying members of Nepal's royal family has been reported missing over the Rara Lake in western Nepal.

Nepal's crown prince has opened fire in the royal palace, killing the king, queen, a prince and princess, and four others before shooting himself.