Temple damage ‘difficult to determine’

A Syrian official in charge of antiquities said his government has not been able to determine how much damage an explosion near the ancient Temple of Bel caused the ancient structure in the militant-controlled city of Palmyra.

Activists, including a Palmyra resident, said a bombing by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant extensively damaged the 2,000-year-old temple on Sunday.

The resident described a massive explosion, adding he saw images of the damage but couldn’t get near the site.