Norwegian police are investigating an early morning explosion at the United States embassy in Oslo as a potential terrorist act, though they remain open to other explanations.
The blast occurred around 01:00 local time on Sunday in the outlying Morgedalsvegen neighbourhood, roughly 7km from the capital’s bustling centre. It caused limited structural harm to the consular section’s public entrance, scattering glass across snow-dusted ground and leaving scorch marks on interior tiles, but mercifully no one was injured in the pre-dawn quiet.
Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, told NRK “One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism, but we are not completely locked into it.”
“We have to be open to the possibility that there may be other causes behind what has happened,” he added.
Responders under commander Michael Dellemyr quickly secured the site, conducted sweeps, and issued calls for witnesses with any relevant observations or recordings. Initial findings hint at a small improvised device akin to those seen in prior incidents, though full forensic results are pending. This rare assault on a major diplomatic outpost evokes Norway’s past traumas, such as the 2011 atrocities, and highlights ongoing risks to Western missions in the region.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed they are “aware of an incident at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo” and have launched their own review. Police stated early on “The police are in dialogue with the embassy and no injuries have been reported,” reflecting swift coordination with American staff.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide branded the episode “unacceptable” and reiterated that the security of diplomatic missions is very important to them, noting his direct outreach to U.S. chargé d’affaires Eric Meyer. By midday, access roads cleared as the probe intensified, involving elite security teams and allies.
Social media images of the wreckage fuelled speculation online, yet no organisation has stepped forward. With global tensions simmering, Norwegian officials are ramping up safeguards at key installations to prevent repeats.