Explosion at US embassy in Oslo may have been terrorism, Norway police say

Explosion at US Embassy in Oslo May Have Been Terrorism, Norway Police Indicate

During the early hours of Sunday, an explosion at the US embassy in Oslo caused minor damage, though no casualties were reported. Norway’s police have suggested that one of the potential causes could be terrorism, though they have not confirmed it definitively. The incident occurred at the public entrance of the embassy, according to Michael Dellemyr, who oversees the police response.

Investigation Underway, Resources Deployed

Large police forces were dispatched to the Morgedalsvegen district of Oslo, approximately 7 kilometers from the city center, following the blast at around 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT). The police are in contact with US diplomats and have launched an inquiry into the event. A statement from the US State Department confirmed their awareness of the incident and mentioned ongoing investigations.

“Among the possible explanations considered by investigators is the potential for a terrorist attack, but we are not entirely certain,” said Frode Larsen, head of the police’s joint investigation and intelligence unit, in a conversation with Norway’s public broadcaster NRK.

Larsen later reiterated that the cause of the blast remains uncertain, emphasizing the need to explore other possibilities. “We must remain open to the idea that there may be different reasons behind this event,” he added.

Photos circulating on social media later depicted the aftermath, including broken glass on the snow outside the consular section, cracks in a glass door, and dark streaks on a tiled floor. Norwegian officials characterized the incident as “unacceptable,” with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide underscoring the importance of safeguarding diplomatic missions. He had reached out to Eric Meyer, the US embassy’s chargé d’affaires, to discuss the explosion.

Authorities have urged the public to report any sightings or sounds related to the incident, as searches continue in the surrounding area. The ongoing inquiry aims to determine the exact cause of the explosion and assess any security implications for the embassy.