Explosion at the US Embassy in Oslo: 'People ran in panic'
A massive bang shook the centre of Oslo this afternoon. Right by the American Embassy, a thunderous blast was heard, and shortly after, 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 had gone off; I honestly thought it was a joke at first," says an eyewitness who was on their way home from work.
Police cordon off large areas
Police in Oslo responded with a major operation and have now cordoned off several blocks around the embassy. They won't comment on the cause yet, but they have confirmed an explosion occurred. A helicopter is hovering over the city, and you can even smell burnt gunpowder as far away as the Oslo Fjord. Boats docked nearby felt the shockwaves travel through the water.
Traffic chaos in the Oslo Fjord Tunnel
As a result of the incident, the Oslo Fjord Tunnel was closed in both directions for nearly an hour. Motorists were stuck in gridlock while emergency services worked frantically. "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 recounts. The tunnel is now open again, but police are advising people to avoid the area.
- Police have the situation under control, but the cause is still unknown.
- Several nearby schools and kindergartens were evacuated.
- OsloMet has asked students and staff to stay indoors.
OsloMet on emergency footing
At OsloMet – the metropolitan university – classes were suspended for a couple of hours. Students were told to stay away from windows and follow instructions from management. Unsurprisingly, many were anxious, and rumours circulated that it could be a terrorist attack. So far, nothing points to that, but police aren't ruling anything out.
'This reminds me of Oslobođenje, but in the worst possible way'
Standing here watching the smoke clear, the word Oslobođenje comes to mind – a term from the Balkans meaning liberation. Not exactly something you hear every day here in Oslo, but right now, every bang feels like an assault on our very freedom. "It's like a wake-up call, reminding us that the safety we take for granted can vanish in a second," says an elderly woman who lives in the neighbourhood.
The incident outside the US Embassy in Oslo has left deep marks. Even though there are no reports of injuries or any criminal intent, the city's mood is sombre. Let's hope this was just an accident, and that the Oslo Fjord can once again be a place for peace and recreation, not fear. For now, it's about following official advice and looking out for one another.