Explosion alarm at US embassy in Oslo

Johan Edgar

Updated 08.02 | Published 02.13

            

           Police on site outside the US embassy in Oslo after an alarm about an explosion. Photo: Javad                     Parsa/NTB

The explosion shook the area around the US embassy in Oslo.

A large police force was called to the scene.

– We saw heavy smoke from the embassy, ​​says a person who lives nearby to VG.

The police in Oslo were able to confirm last night that there had been an explosion at the US embassy in Oslo, writes VG.

It occurred at the consular entrance to the embassy and is said to have caused minor damage.

Large police force

The police had bomb squad and forensic experts at the scene at the time.

– We have an idea of ​​what caused it, but we don't want to say anything yet, says police chief Michael Dellemyr to VG.

The Oslo police stated at 04:00 in a press release that they received an alarm about an explosion at one of the embassy's entrances at 01:00 during the night to Sunday.

They stated that they had large resources at the scene, including a dog, helicopter and drone.

VG has spoken to several residents nearby who heard the explosion.

             

             Damage to the embassy. Photo: Isak Løve Pilskog Loe/Vg

"Powerful explosion"

- I was sleeping and was woken up by the explosion. It was really powerful. We also saw heavy smoke from the embassy, ​​says one person.

Another neighbor of the embassy told the newspaper that "the whole house shook" from the loud bang.

Witnesses told the newspaper that a large area around the embassy was cordoned off and that a large number of police cars were at the scene.

According to witnesses, the police have stopped cars moving in the area.

Minister of Justice Astri Aas-Hansen says that extensive resources are investigating what happened.

– It is an unacceptable incident, she tells Dagbladet.

The police say that no one was injured in the explosion and that they have ensured that there are no other dangerous objects in the area.

Foto: Isak Løve Pilskog Loe/VgPhoto: Isak Løve Pilskog Loe/Vg

Want tips

"It should be safe for both the police investigators and the residents. There is nothing to indicate that the situation is dangerous for outsiders," the police say.

The press release states that the incident is being investigated with large resources and high priority.

They also ask that people who have tips about the incident or have made unusual observations in the area between midnight and 2 a.m. contact the police.