Norwegian Police Seek Public Help in Identifying US Embassy Explosion Suspect
Norwegian police have released images of a suspect in connection with an explosion that occurred outside the US embassy in Oslo. The incident took place on Sunday, and the images, sourced from surveillance footage, depict a person dressed in dark clothing with their face obscured, carrying a backpack. The police have confirmed that the explosion was caused by an improvised device placed at the entrance of the embassy. Fortunately, the blast resulted in only minor damage and no injuries were reported.
Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the explosion, though they previously suggested the possibility of it being an act of terrorism. In their latest update, they stated that there were no new developments regarding the attacker's intentions. Alongside the images, investigators are also reviewing a video that was published on Google Maps around the time of the incident. This video, which has since been deleted, reportedly featured Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated last month during joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
The investigation into the embassy explosion is being treated as a high priority. Police have utilized dogs, drones, and helicopters to conduct thorough investigations at the scene. They are appealing to the public for any information about the suspect or any unusual activity noticed in the area between midnight and 02:00 local time on Sunday. Emergency services were dispatched to the embassy, located on Morgedalsvegen street in the Ullern district of Oslo, shortly after 01:00 on Sunday.
Images shared on social media following the incident showed shattered glass in the snow outside the embassy's consular section, cracks in a glass door, and dark marks on a tiled floor. Norwegian authorities have condemned the incident, with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasizing the importance of diplomatic mission security. The US State Department has also stated that it is investigating the incident.