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Palmyra's Temple of Bel 'destroyed' Palmyra's Temple of Bel 'destroyed'
(35 minutes later)
A satellite image confirms that a temple in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra has been destroyed, the United Nations says.A satellite image confirms that a temple in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra has been destroyed, the United Nations says.
There had been earlier reports of an explosion at the Temple of Bel in Palmyra, which is held by militants from Islamic State (IS).There had been earlier reports of an explosion at the Temple of Bel in Palmyra, which is held by militants from Islamic State (IS).
Syria's antiquities chief had earlier said the basic structure of the 2,000-year-old site was intact.Syria's antiquities chief had earlier said the basic structure of the 2,000-year-old site was intact.
But UN satellite analysts say the image shows almost nothing remains. But UN satellite analysts Unosat say the image shows almost nothing remains.
"We can confirm destruction of the main building of the Temple of Bel as well as a row of columns in its immediate vicinity," a statement from the UN's training and research agency, Unitar, said. "Unfortunately, the images we acquired do show that the main building of the temple has been destroyed," Einar Bjorgo, Unosat's manager, told the BBC early on Tuesday.
Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of the Syrian Department of Antiquities and Museums, had said the Temple of Bel suffered a large explosion, but that he believed most of the site remained intact. He added that a set of columns nearby had also been destroyed.
On Monday, Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of the Syrian Department of Antiquities and Museums, had said the Temple of Bel suffered a large explosion, but that he believed most of the site had remained intact.
Witnesses had struggled, however, to get close to the site to confirm the extent of the damage.Witnesses had struggled, however, to get close to the site to confirm the extent of the damage.
Last week, it was confirmed that another site at Palmyra, the Baalshamin temple, had been blown up.Last week, it was confirmed that another site at Palmyra, the Baalshamin temple, had been blown up.
Unitar released satellite images on Monday showing the extent of the damage to Baalshamin, proving that parts were heavily damaged or completely destroyed.Unitar released satellite images on Monday showing the extent of the damage to Baalshamin, proving that parts were heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
IS militants seized control of Palmyra in May, sparking fears for the World Heritage site.IS militants seized control of Palmyra in May, sparking fears for the World Heritage site.
The world-famous Greco-Roman ruins are in the desert north-east of the Syrian capital, Damascus.The world-famous Greco-Roman ruins are in the desert north-east of the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The Temple of Bel is dedicated to the Palmyrene gods and was one of the best-preserved parts of the ancient city.The Temple of Bel is dedicated to the Palmyrene gods and was one of the best-preserved parts of the ancient city.
IS has previously targeted historical sites in areas under its control in Iraq and Syria, regarding their ancient temples and sculptures as heretical.IS has previously targeted historical sites in areas under its control in Iraq and Syria, regarding their ancient temples and sculptures as heretical.
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