Blast at US Embassy in Oslo: 'People Ran in Panic'

There was a massive bang in central Oslo this afternoon. A thunderous boom was heard right next to the American Embassy, and shortly afterwards, dark smoke began to rise. People in the area seemed to panic, with many starting to run away from the scene. "It was like a bomb going off; I thought it was a joke at first," says an eyewitness who was on his way home from work.

Police Cordon Off Large Areas

The Oslo police responded with significant forces and have now cordoned off several blocks around the embassy. They are not yet commenting on the cause, but they have confirmed an explosion occurred. A helicopter is hovering over the city, and the smell of burnt gunpowder can be detected as far away as the Oslofjord. Boats moored at the quay felt the shockwaves travel through the water.

Traffic Chaos in the Oslofjord Tunnel

In the aftermath of the incident, the Oslofjord Tunnel was closed in both directions for nearly an hour. Motorists were stuck in queues while emergency services worked around the clock. "I was in the tunnel and didn't hear a thing, but when I came out, the whole sky was grey with smoke," a commuter reports. The tunnel is now open again, but police are advising people to avoid the area.

• Police have the situation under control, but the cause remains unknown.
• Several nearby schools and nurseries have been evacuated.
• OsloMet has asked students and staff to stay indoors.

OsloMet on High Alert

At OsloMet – the metropolitan university – teaching was suspended for a couple of hours. Students were told to stay away from windows and follow instructions from the management. Understandably, many were anxious, and rumours circulated that it might be a terrorist attack. So far, nothing points to that, but the police are not ruling anything out.

– This Brings to Mind Oslobođenje, But in the Worst Possible Way

Standing here watching the smoke clear, the word Oslobođenje – a term from the Balkans meaning liberation – springs to mind. Not exactly an everyday expression here in Oslo, but right now, every bang feels like an attack on our very freedom. "It's as if we've been reminded that the safety we take for granted can disappear in a second," says an elderly woman who lives in the neighbourhood.

The incident at the American Embassy in Oslo has left a deep impact. Even though there are no reports of injuries or any suggestion of criminal activity, the mood in the city is sombre. Let's hope this was just an accident, and that the Oslofjord can once again become a place of peace and relaxation, not fear. For now, the best thing to do is follow the authorities' advice and look out for one another.