Blast at US embassy in Oslo: Explosion causes minor damage; probe under way – The Times of India
An explosion struck the consular section entrance of the United States Embassy in Norway capital Oslo in the early hours of Sunday, police said, adding that no injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.The blast occurred at around 1.00 am local time (5.30 am IST), according to a statement from the Oslo Police Department.Police incident commander Michael Dellemyr told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that the explosion hit the entrance to the embassy’s consular section.“At around 1.00 am we received several reports of an explosion. We arrived shortly afterwards and confirmed that there had been an explosion that hit the US embassy,” Dellemyr said, adding that the damage appeared to be minor.Authorities declined to disclose further details about the nature of the blast. “We are not going to comment on the type of damage or what may have exploded because it is very early in the investigation,” he said.Dellemyr later told TV2 Norway that police believe the incident may have been an act carried out by an individual, though investigations are ongoing. Officers are currently speaking with witnesses, while a bomb squad was also deployed at the scene.Police confirmed they are in contact with officials at the US embassy, and a large security presence was established in the area following the explosion.Residents living near the embassy reported hearing a loud blast. A 16-year-old witness identified as Edvard told TV2 that he initially thought the sound came from his own house.“My mother and I first thought it came from our house, but then we saw flashing lights outside the window and a lot of police,” he said, describing the presence of police dogs, drones, armed officers and helicopters.Authorities cordoned off a large area around the embassy and stopped vehicles approaching the site, according to local media reports.The incident comes as US diplomatic missions remain on heightened alert in several regions following recent American military operations targeting Iran, which have raised concerns about retaliatory attacks.However, Dellemyr said there is currently no indication that the Oslo explosion is linked to the conflict.