U.S. cautions against travel to Nepal

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department issued a public announcement Monday recommending Americans defer travel to Nepal.

"The situation in Katmandu and elsewhere is unstable" following the deaths last week of the king and other members of the royal family, the statement said.

"Demonstrators have disrupted transportation, making travel very difficult, if not impossible. Police have fired tear gas into the crowds and a temporary curfew has been imposed in the Katmandu area."

American citizens are advised to stay indoors and monitor the situation closely, it said.

VIDEO CNN's Kasra Naji with the latest on the Nepali Royal family killing Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The warning said the unrest may continue through the 45-day mourning period.

Earlier Monday, police in Nepal clashed with demonstrators angry over the killings of the royal family.

Nepal government sources originally said the massacre was carried out by then-Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram, who turned a gun on himself and has since died. The palace, however, later described the shootings as accidental.