Norwegian authorities are investigating an overnight explosion at the US embassy in Oslo that may have been an act of terrorism. The blast occurred in the early hours of Sunday, causing minor damage to the embassy building, but no injuries were reported.
Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, told Norway’s public broadcaster NRK that while terrorism is one possible explanation, investigators are considering other causes. “One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism, but we are not completely locked into it,” Larsen said.
The explosion took place at the public entrance of the embassy, located in the Morgedalsvegen district of Oslo, approximately four miles from the city centre. Police officers immediately responded and conducted searches in the surrounding area. Michael Dellemyr, leading the police response, said authorities were appealing to the public for any information about the incident.
Large police resources were deployed to the site around 1:00 a.m. local time (midnight GMT), according to an earlier statement from Norway’s police. Authorities remain in contact with US diplomats as the investigation continues. The US embassy has not issued a public comment regarding the incident.
Social media posts from the scene showed shattered glass outside the consular section of the embassy, cracks in a glass door, and blackened marks on the tiled floor, highlighting the force of the explosion. Norwegian authorities described the event as “unacceptable,” emphasizing the importance of diplomatic security.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said he had spoken with US embassy chargé d’affaires Eric Meyer about the incident. “The security of diplomatic missions is very important to us,” Barth Eide said, stressing that the Norwegian government takes all threats against foreign missions seriously.
The police investigation is ongoing, with authorities reviewing security footage and seeking witnesses who may have observed suspicious activity near the embassy. Larsen reiterated the need to remain open to multiple possibilities as the inquiry unfolds.
The incident comes amid heightened global concerns over attacks on diplomatic missions. While the cause of Sunday’s blast remains under investigation, Norwegian officials are prioritizing both public safety and the protection of embassy staff.
