People near the U. S. Embassy face an expanded police cordon and ongoing searches in oslo after an overnight blast at the compound’s public entrance. As of Sunday at 9: 30 a. m. ET, Norwegian police said that no injuries were reported and damage to the building was minor.
Morgedalsvegen search expands as police deploy ‘large resources’
Officers directed what they described as large resources to the embassy area in the Morgedalsvegen district, about 7 kilometers (4 miles) outside Oslo’s city center. Police said they are in dialogue with embassy staff and have conducted searches around the site to ensure there are no further dangers to employees or nearby residents.
Investigators appealed for information from anyone who saw or heard anything around the compound. Residents in western oslo described a loud bang followed by smoke in the Makrellbekken area near the facility. Police said they are now searching for those responsible while maintaining a visible presence around the perimeter.
Embassy’s public entrance in Oslo shows minor damage, no injuries
The blast occurred at the public entrance to the building, affecting the consular side of the complex. Images posted on social media showed shattered glass on snow outside the consular entrance, cracks in a glass door, and dark marks on a tiled floor. Despite the damage, authorities confirmed there were no reported injuries among staff or the public.
Officials remain in contact with mission personnel, and U. S. employees have not commented on the incident. Police said they have an idea of what caused the explosion but are withholding details for investigative reasons. That restraint underscores an active inquiry focused on pinpointing the source and method of the blast before releasing further specifics.
Espen Barth Eide calls incident ‘unacceptable’ as police seek leads
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide condemned the incident as unacceptable and emphasized that the security of diplomatic missions is a priority. He said he had contacted the U. S. Embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Eric Meyer, regarding the situation. His comments signal cabinet-level attention to the investigation and to the protection of foreign missions operating in the country.
Michael Dellemyr, the police commander overseeing the response, said the explosion was at the public entrance and confirmed ongoing searches in the surrounding area. He indicated that investigators have a working idea of the cause but are holding that information back to protect the integrity of the case. Police also reiterated that, at this stage, they have no information on who may be involved.
The immediate change for the community is sustained police activity around the compound and nearby streets, where searches and protective sweeps continue. For visitors seeking consular services, access may be affected while the entrance area is assessed and the perimeter remains under watch. Still, with no injuries reported and damage described as minor, authorities have signaled a contained scene as the inquiry advances.
Norwegian police said they are searching for those responsible and renewed their public appeal for tips tied to the time of the blast and the area around the embassy. No formal briefing time had been announced as of 9: 30 a. m. ET. If investigators determine the specific cause, authorities could narrow the search area and stand down some extra patrols within hours.
