By Achile Danjuma
An explosion struck the US embassy in the Norwegian capital early Sunday morning, causing material damage to the compound but resulting in no injuries, authorities said.
The blast was reported at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) at the entrance of the embassy’s consular section, according to a statement from the Oslo Police.
Responding to multiple reports of an explosion, officers were quickly dispatched to the scene. “We arrived shortly afterwards and confirmed that there had been an explosion that hit the US embassy,” Oslo Police Incident Commander Michael Dellemyr told public broadcaster NRK.
While the investigation is in its early stages, authorities indicated they are pursuing the incident as a deliberate act. “It appears to us that this is an act carried out by someone,” Dellemyr confirmed to TV2. He added that investigators have “an idea of the cause,” though he declined to provide specific details regarding the device used or the extent of the damage.
A significant police cordon remains in place around the embassy. A bomb squad was deployed to assist in the investigation, and officials are interviewing witnesses in the area. Police stated they are maintaining close communication with US embassy personnel as the inquiry progresses.