An explosion occurred in a portion of the United States embassy compound in Norway in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting a response from law enforcement in the Norwegian capital city.
There were no injuries, and it seems the damage caused by the blast is limited.
Police were alerted to the incident when they sent emergency services to a diplomatic compound after receiving reports of an explosion in the area.
In a statement, police explained that “large resources” were sent to the area as a precautionary measure after they received the report.
Police were able to establish contact with representatives of the embassy and confirmed that there were no injuries to any of the people in the area.
The embassy sustained minor damage, although it is not clear what caused the explosion.
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There is currently no confirmed information on the circumstances of the explosion, and it is not known if anyone might have been behind it, the investigators explained.
Michael Dellemyr, in charge of police operations, told Norway’s public broadcaster NRK that “the explosion occurred near the public entrance of the embassy building.” “It hit the area where visitors enter the consular section of the embassy,” Dellemyr explained.
Police carried out a search in the area after the explosion occurred. The embassy building is located in the Morgedalsvegen area, some seven kilometres (four miles) from the city centre of Oslo, where some diplomatic homes and government institutions are located.
Dellemyr mentioned that the officers had examined the surrounding streets and open areas following the incident but did not mention the detention of any suspects.
He also mentioned that the investigation team was working to determine whether the explosion resulted from an explosive device or another type of incident.
The authorities also appealed to the public to help with the investigation as the investigation progresses.
Police asked those who may have been in the area during the early hours of Sunday morning to come forward if they witnessed any unusual activities or heard something that they think could help the investigation.
Photos also showed what seems to be cracks on a glass door and scorch marks on the floor near the doorway.
Norwegian police were not yet sure whether the images were legitimate but were aware of the circulating images on social media.
There is no public statement released by the United States embassy in Oslo regarding this incident.
Employees of this diplomatic mission were not available to comment on this matter when contacted by various media agencies. It remains unclear if this embassy will change its business hours following this damage.
Security arrangements surrounding diplomatic missions in Norway are managed by Norwegian authorities in compliance with international treaties on the protection of foreign missions in their territory.
According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it is the duty of host countries to ensure the security of embassies and consulates in their territory.
Norwegian authorities assured that security concerns surrounding diplomatic missions in their territory are a priority. In a press release, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called this incident “unacceptable” and assured that it is being taken seriously.
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“The security of diplomatic missions is very important to us,” Eide said in a statement, “and I have been in touch with the United States embassy after this explosion.”
Eide declared that he had spoken with Eric Meyer, the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Oslo, about the incident. Chargés d’affaires normally function as the highest-ranking official at an embassy when an ambassador is not present or in situations where there is a temporary vacancy at an embassy.
Norway is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state and has close relations with the US, with the embassy in Oslo being a central part of the relations between the US and Norway.
It is not clear if the explosion had triggered security alerts at other diplomatic institutions in Oslo. Police declared their priority is to ascertain whether the explosion was caused by anything or if it was an act of intent.
Further investigation is expected to be conducted at the scene as well as reviewing available security footage from the surrounding area as part of the investigation into the explosion.