Explosion at U.S. Embassy in Oslo Under Investigation as Possible Targeted Attack

An explosion at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, early Sunday morning caused minor damage but no injuries, prompting an investigation by Norwegian police into whether it was a targeted attack linked to terrorism or other motives.

The blast occurred around 1 a.m. local time at the embassy's public entrance, specifically targeting the consular section. Police received reports of a loud bang and found minor damage to the entrance but no injuries. Investigators believe the embassy was deliberately targeted and are searching for perpetrators.

Frode Larsen, head of the Oslo police joint investigation and intelligence unit, stated that while terrorism is one hypothesis, other possibilities are also being explored. 'It's natural to see this in the context of the current security situation,' Larsen said at a news conference. 'But we have not locked ourselves into just that one hypothesis.'

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke rising from the scene after the explosion, with some describing it as a very thick layer on the street. Police conducted searches using dogs, drones, and helicopters but did not find any further explosive devices in the area.

The Norwegian government has expressed concern over the incident, with Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide calling it 'an unacceptable act that we take very seriously.' Norway's minister of justice and public security, Astri Aas-Hansen, stated that the police are investigating the case with significant resources and have increased security measures to protect diplomatic missions and communities.

The U.S. State Department is aware of the incident and has referred media queries back to the embassy, which did not immediately respond for comment. The investigation remains in its early stages, with no suspects identified so far.