An explosion damaged the U.S. Embassy compound in Oslo early Sunday morning, prompting Norwegian authorities to investigate terrorism as one possible motive while stressing the inquiry remains in its early stages.
The blast struck the consular section entrance around 1:00 a.m. local time. No injuries were reported.
“It is natural to see this in the context of the current security situation and that this could be an attack deliberately targeting the American Embassy,” Frode Larsen, head of the Oslo police investigation and intelligence unit, said at a press conference. “One of our hypotheses is that this is terrorism, but we are also exploring other options.”
Larsen said the blast was caused by some type of incendiary device. Police have deployed dogs, drones, and a helicopter to search for one or several perpetrators. No arrests have been made, and investigators confirmed no additional explosives were found in the area.
The State Department said it is aware of the incident and thanked Norwegian authorities for their support.
Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen called the explosion “an unacceptable incident that is being treated with the utmost seriousness.” The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) activated additional personnel but has not changed the national threat level, according to PST communication adviser Martin Bernsen.
Residents near the compound reported hearing a loud bang that shook buildings. Sebastian Toerstad, a high school student who was driving past the embassy at the time, told Reuters he observed heavy smoke and visible damage at the entrance.
The blast follows a week of Iranian drone strikes on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Dubai after the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. Oslo police said they are reinforcing security around the city’s Iranian diaspora and Jewish communities.
Investigators have not established whether the Oslo incident is connected to events in the Middle East. Police said they have received multiple tips and are treating the case as a high priority.
