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An explosion struck the Embassy of the United States in Oslo, Norway, early Sunday, causing minor damage but no injuries, according to police.
Authorities said the blast occurred around 1 a.m. local time and damaged one of the embassy’s entrances. Officials described the damage as limited and said no embassy personnel or bystanders were harmed.
Police launched an immediate investigation and deployed significant resources to the scene, including search dogs, drones and helicopters, while officers searched for one or more possible suspects.
Police commander Michael Dellemyr told Norwegian broadcaster TV2 that investigators were still working to determine the cause of the explosion and would not yet comment on the type of device involved.
“We will not comment on anything related to the type of damage, what it is that has exploded and similar details because it is very early in the investigation,” Dellemyr said.
He later said police believe the explosion was likely caused deliberately and that investigators were interviewing witnesses and examining evidence at the scene.
Several residents nearby reported hearing the blast. One witness said the explosion sounded like three separate bangs that shook the ground, followed by heavy smoke around the embassy entrance.
“There was a very thick layer of smoke on the street,” said Sebastian Toerstad, 18, a high school student who drove past the embassy at the time of the explosion, according to one report. “There was some damage to the entrance.”
A bomb squad was reportedly dispatched to the area while police secured the surrounding neighborhood. Authorities later said the area was considered safe for residents and pedestrians.
U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide have been placed on heightened alert following escalating tensions tied to U.S. military operations against Iran. However, Dellemyr said investigators have not yet found any evidence linking the Oslo explosion to the broader conflict.
