An explosion caused minor damage to the US embassy in Oslo early Sunday, with police investigating but no injuries reported
OSLO: An explosion struck the US embassy in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday, causing minor material damage but no injuries. Police are investigating the incident with substantial resources.
The blast occurred around 1:00 am local time at one of the building’s entrances. Police commander Michael Dellemyr said investigators “have an idea of the cause” and that it appears to be an act carried out by someone.
Dogs, drones, and helicopters were deployed in the search for potential perpetrators. Police are in contact with the embassy and have declared the surrounding area safe for residents.
Authorities urged the public to report any tips or unusual observations from the area between midnight and 2:00 am. A bomb squad was also reported at the scene.
Dellemyr stated it is too early to connect the incident to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “We’re not connecting it to the conflict. It’s far too early for that,” he told TV2.
Residents near the embassy described hearing the explosion. A 16-year-old named Edvard said he and his mother initially thought the sound came from their house before seeing police lights outside.
“We saw the flashing lights outside the window and a ton of police,” he said. He reported seeing police dogs, drones, officers with automatic weapons, and helicopters.
A group of friends waiting for a taxi nearby felt three ‘bangs’ that made the ground shake. Kristian Wendelborg Einung said the street in front of the embassy was covered in a thick blanket of smoke resembling fog.
US embassies have recently been on high alert in the Middle East, but no link to that tension has been established. Police view such incidents in public spaces as very serious.
The investigation is ongoing with high priority. Dellemyr declined to comment on specifics like the type of damage or explosive used, citing the early stage of the probe.
