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

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

Norway’s police have suggested that an explosion at the US embassy in Oslo could have been a terrorist act, though they have not confirmed it definitively. The blast, which occurred during the early hours of Sunday, caused minor damage to the embassy but resulted in no injuries.

“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.

Authorities have since launched an investigation, with police collaborating closely with US diplomats. A spokesperson for the State Department noted awareness of the incident and stated that inquiries are ongoing.

“We have to be open to the possibility that there may be other causes behind what has happened,” emphasized Larsen in a later conversation with NRK.

According to Michael Dellemyr, who oversees the police response, the explosion took place at the public entrance of the facility. Search operations were conducted in the Morgedalsvegen district, approximately 7 kilometers from the city center.

Officials also urged the public to report any observations or audiovisual evidence related to the event. Social media images later revealed shattered glass near the consular entrance, cracked doors, and dark marks on the tiled floor.

Norwegian authorities characterized the incident as “unacceptable,” with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide underscoring the importance of diplomatic mission security. He added that he had reached out to Eric Meyer, the US embassy’s chargé d’affaires, concerning the Sunday event.