Iconic Nepal landmarks in ruins

Saturday’s devastating earthquake left in ruins several of Nepal’s heritage sites and some of its iconic landmarks.

Four out of seven Unesco World Heritage sites are in the Kathmandu valley — three of them are ancient city squares or durbars which have all been severely damaged. This will be a severe blow to the tourism industry, which is one of the county’s major sources of income.

Basantapur Durbar Square, at the historical heart of the city, was the residence of Nepal’s royal family until the 19th century. An intricate mesh of palaces and temples, many of them were reduced to rubble within minutes on Saturday.

Locals speak with horror about the Dharahara tower, the 100-ft landmark which collapsed with about 200 people inside. Originally built in 1832 the tower offered a stunning view of the city and was a popular spot for tourists and locals.

Priceless statues

A short distance from Basantapur, the Patan Square Durbar, known for its Buddhist architecture, also lies partially in ruins. There are concerns that people might loot some of the priceless statues that were once housed within the temple. In Bhaktapur, reports say, that 80 per cent of the temples have been lost. In its Durbar square the main temple has lost its roof.