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 Say
An explosion at the US embassy in Oslo occurred overnight, with Norwegian authorities suggesting it could be linked to terrorism. The incident, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, caused slight damage to the embassy but left no casualties.
“One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism, but we are not completely locked into it,” stated Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, during an interview with Norway’s public broadcaster NRK.
Police have launched an investigation into the event, collaborating with US diplomats. A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed awareness of the incident and is working to determine its cause.
Later on Sunday, Larsen emphasized the need to consider alternative explanations. “We have to be open to the possibility that there may be other causes behind what has happened,” he added.
According to an earlier police statement, a significant number of officers were deployed to the area near the US embassy at approximately 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT). The statement noted that “the police are in dialogue with the embassy” and “no injuries have been reported.”
“The explosion was at the public entrance to the building,” explained Michael Dellemyr, who oversees the police response. “Officers conducted searches in the Morgedalsvegen district of Oslo, about 7km outside the city centre.” Dellemyr also mentioned that authorities had urged the public to share any information related to the event.
Images shared on social media revealed broken glass near the consular section, cracks in a glass door, and dark stains on the tiled floor. Norwegian officials described the incident as “unacceptable,” with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighting the importance of securing diplomatic missions.
Eide further stated that he had reached out to US embassy chargé d’affaires Eric Meyer following the explosion.
