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, which occurred overnight, could be linked to terrorism, according to Norwegian police. The blast, which happened early Sunday, caused minor damage to the embassy but did not result in any injuries. Authorities are still assessing the situation and have not ruled out all possibilities.

Investigation Underway

Norwegian police have deployed significant resources to the area surrounding the embassy in the Morgedalsvegen district, approximately 7km from the city center. The public entrance of the building was the site of the explosion, and officers conducted searches in the vicinity. A call for witness information was also issued, urging anyone with relevant details to come forward.

“One hypothesis under consideration is that the event might be a terrorist act, but we are not completely locked into it,” said Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, during an interview with NRK.

Earlier, police reported sending large teams to the embassy area around 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT). They confirmed that no injuries were reported and were in communication with the embassy. The US State Department acknowledged the incident, stating they were “aware of an event at the US Embassy in Oslo” and conducting their own inquiry.

“We have to remain open to other potential causes,” Larsen emphasized when speaking to NRK later that day.

Security Concerns Expressed

Photos shared on social media revealed broken glass near the entrance of the consular section, cracks in a glass door, and dark stains on a tiled floor. Norwegian officials described the incident as “unacceptable,” highlighting the importance of safeguarding diplomatic missions. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noted he had reached out to Eric Meyer, the US embassy chargé d’affaires, to discuss the event.