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

Norway’s police have suggested that an explosion at the US embassy in Oslo could be linked to terrorism, though they have not confirmed it definitively. The attack, which took place during the early hours of Sunday, caused light damage to the embassy but no casualties were reported.

Investigation Underway

Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, told NRK that terrorism remains one of the possible explanations, but the team is still evaluating other factors. “We must remain open to alternative causes,” Larsen emphasized in a later update.

“One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism, but we are not completely locked into it,” Larsen stated.

Details of the Incident

The explosion occurred at the public entrance of the embassy, according to Michael Dellemyr, who oversees the police response. Officers conducted searches in the Morgedalsvegen district, approximately 7km from Oslo’s city center, following the blast at around 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT).

Authorities have issued a call for public information, asking witnesses to share details about the event. Social media images later revealed broken glass, cracked doors, and dark stains on the floor near the consular section.

US Diplomatic Response

A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed awareness of the incident and mentioned ongoing inquiries. Norwegian officials described the event as “unacceptable,” highlighting the importance of securing diplomatic missions. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noted that he had reached out to US embassy chargé d’affaires Eric Meyer regarding the explosion.

“The security of diplomatic missions is very important to us,” said Espen Barth Eide.