Police In Norway Investigate An Explosion Outside The U.s. Embassy In Oslo

OSLO — Police successful Norway were investigating an detonation early Sunday extracurricular nan U.S. Embassy successful Oslo, officials said.

No injuries were reported. Police received reports of a “loud bang” aliases detonation astir 1 a.m., Oslo constabulary said successful a news release.

The detonation successful nan superior was caused by immoderate benignant of incendiary device, according to Frode Larsen, leader of nan Oslo constabulary associated portion for investigation and intelligence. Investigators judge nan embassy was nan target and are searching for nan perpetrators and their motive.

Larsen said nan embassy’s entranceway had damage, but nary arrests had been made.

“We are early successful nan investigation, but we are moving based connected aggregate hypotheses,” Larsen said successful a statement. “Given nan existent information situation, it is earthy to see whether this was a targeted onslaught connected nan American Embassy. However, we person not committed to immoderate azygous hypothesis.”

Local media reported that group adjacent said nan thoroughfare was blanketed successful heavy fume aft nan blast. Police are seeking to talk to witnesses.

A U.S. charismatic said nan incendiary instrumentality was wrong a backpack and detonated extracurricular nan entranceway to nan consular affairs agency astatine nan embassy. The charismatic said connected information of anonymity owed to nan sensitivity of nan matter.

PST, nan Norwegian constabulary information service, called successful further unit aft nan incident, but it hasn’t changed nan country’s coercion threat level, according to connection advisor Martin Bernsen.

“This is an unacceptable incident that is being treated pinch nan utmost seriousness,” said Astri Aas-Hansen, Norway’s curate of justness and nationalist security.

“The constabulary person stated that they are investigating nan lawsuit pinch important resources, and that thing indicates nan business poses immoderate threat to nan public.”

The U.S. Embassy successful Oslo referred media queries to nan State Department, which didn’t instantly return a petition for comment.

Dazio and Lee constitute for nan Associated Press. Dazio reported from Berlin and Lee from Washington.