ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — An official says Turkey's Culture Ministry has launched an inquiry following reports that priceless ancient mosaics had been ruined while being restored and moved to a new museum in southern Turkey.

A newspaper in Hatay province said several mosaics at the Archaeological Museum were badly restored and seriously damaged while being moved to the museum's new premises in the city of Antakya. Hurriyet newspaper published before-and-after pictures of three of the mosaics, in which the restored versions appeared to be distorted.

A Culture Ministry official told the Associated Press a committee had launched an inquiry into the report. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with rules that bar officials from speaking to journalists.

The museum is home to one of the world's greatest collections of Roman mosaics.