Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has extended his condolences to the families of the six American soldiers who died in a recent helicopter crash in Ramechhap.
"U.S. helicopters that were deployed for rescue and relief have crashed. All eight service men onboard have been killed. I offer my deepest condolence to them and their bereaved, and their bereaved families," Koirala said at an interaction with the media on Sunday.
The bodies of the six U.S. marines and two Nepali soldiers went missing while distributing aid on May 12. They have since been retrieved.
He further said, "You know our terrain is so... too difficult that is why the American, you know, that chopper made that accident. That we... We are so... We feel so sorry for that. And... we have sent our condolences. So I explained everything to them and it is closed now."
On the earthquake-related tragedy that struck the nation recently and claimed close to 8000 lives, Koirala said that the administration was caught unprepared and had no logistics to deal with the calamity head on, and therefore, had to seek international assistance from countries like India and China.
He, however, said that his government had been complimented for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation effort so far.
"We have been complimented by the... people who faced, who face this, you know, earthquake... major problem in different country. They said, 'how could Nepal manage... manage such a thing in a time?' We have been complimented. We have no logistics. We are not prepared. We are caught unprepared you know. That's what I don't see it as a failure," he said.
