Palmyra temple damage by Islamic State an 'appalling loss'

The United Nations has released satellite photos which appear to show that the most important temple in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra has been destroyed by Islamic State militants.

IS captured Palmyra in May.

Historian Dan Cruickshank said any damage to the temple was ''an appalling loss'' - on a par with destroying the Parthenon in Greece or Chartres Cathedral in France.