A reportedly enormous bomb blast has shaken the PM’s office and the oil ministry in Oslo, the Norwegian police confirm. Reports have confirmed that the Norwegian Prime Minister is safe, but it’s not clear if he’s un-injured. Early reports suggested that this might be a gas explosion, but those were discounted because there is no mains gas supply in Oslo. Norway’s state broadcaster has confirmed that one person has died, with more than 8 injured. Fortunately, it is the height of Norway’s holiday season and there were few people about. The Norwegian police, however, warn that there are other casualties being treated. Details remain vague.
There also appears to have been at least one other explosion, apparently at the offices of the newspaper that re-published the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Also, Norway is deployed in Afghanistan. Norway has been the target of threats from al-Qaeda Islamic extremists in the past. Experts being interviewed by media organisations are not ruling out a racially motivated outrage in protest at loose immigration policy.
UPDATE: A second death has been confirmed. More casualties are expected to be announced. The Oslo police are about to hold a press conference.
UPDATE 2: Shots have been fired at a youth camp in Utoya, Norway, earlier this afternoon and after the lunchtime bombing earlier. There are understood to have been fatalities. The gunman was dressed as a police officer. The Norwegian Prime Minister was apparently due to visit the holiday camp later today.
UPDATE 3: 7 people have been killed, apparently. A suspect gunman has been arrested.
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