Updated March 8, 2026 / 1:50 AM EST — CBS/AFP
Norwegian police said an explosion occurred near the U.S. Embassy in Oslo early Sunday and that no one was injured. The blast was reported at about 1 a.m. local time; authorities said they did not immediately know what caused it or who might be responsible.
Police reported hearing a loud bang and searched the area with dogs, drones and helicopters while looking for one or more potential suspects. Public broadcaster NRK quoted incident commander Michael Dellemyr saying the blast struck the entrance to the embassy’s consular section and caused only minor damage.
Dellemyr told TV2 officials would not yet describe the type of damage or what exploded because the investigation was in its early stages. He later said investigators have an idea of the cause and that the incident appears to have been carried out deliberately. TV2 reported a bomb squad was on site and that officers were interviewing witnesses.
Police said they were in contact with embassy staff and that a large number of resources remained at the scene; no injuries were reported. CBS News has reached out to the State Department for comment.
Neighbors said they heard a loud explosion. A 16-year-old identified as Edvard told TV2 he and his mother first thought the noise came from their home before seeing flashing lights, numerous officers, police dogs, drones, armed units and helicopters overhead.
U.S. embassies have been on elevated alert in some regions amid tensions after U.S. military operations in Iran, and several diplomatic and industrial sites have been targeted in reprisal attacks. Norwegian police said there was no indication the Oslo blast was connected to that wider conflict.