Norwegian Police Investigate Possible Terrorism in US Embassy Explosion

An explosion occurred at the US embassy in Oslo, Norway, in the early hours of Sunday, prompting an investigation by Norwegian police who are considering the possibility of terrorism as a motive. The blast caused minor damage to the embassy but resulted in no injuries. Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, conveyed to Norway's public broadcaster NRK that terrorism is one of the hypotheses being explored, although other causes have not been ruled out.

The Norwegian authorities are collaborating with US diplomats as part of the ongoing investigation. A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed awareness of the incident and stated that they are conducting their own investigation. Larsen emphasized the need to remain open to various explanations for the explosion.

In response to the incident, significant police resources were deployed to the area surrounding the embassy at approximately 01:00 local time on Sunday. Michael Dellemyr, leading the police response, reported that the explosion occurred at the public entrance to the embassy building. Police conducted searches in the vicinity, located in the Morgedalsvegen district, about 7 kilometers from Oslo's city center. Authorities have also appealed to the public for any information regarding the incident.

Images shared on social media revealed shattered glass, cracks in a glass door, and dark marks on the tiled floor outside the consular section of the embassy. The Norwegian government has condemned the incident, with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide labeling it "unacceptable" and underscoring the importance of diplomatic mission security. Eide has communicated with Eric Meyer, the US embassy's chargé d'affaires, regarding the explosion.