One person has been arrested, and despite the alarming event, there were no injuries reported as the investigation continues. (Ref)
A sudden explosion shook the Pilestredet area in central Oslo on Tuesday night, triggering a large-scale emergency response. An unexploded hand grenade was found to be a serious hazard when Norwegian police quickly roped off the area. Authorities have confirmed one arrest in connection with the incident and are searching for others involved. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The event caused alarm among residents, who described a deafening bang that echoed through the neighborhood. Armed police, firefighters, and helicopters formed part of a rapid and coordinated response to secure the area and ensure public safety.
Residents near the blast site said they were shocked by the loudness, with one witness telling a local news outlet that the explosion was painful to their ears. Another account described a chaotic scene immediately after the blast, with individuals seeing someone apprehend a man in a hoodie who was seen fleeing from the area. These accounts depicted an abrupt and violent incident that occurred in the generally serene downtown area.
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The Oslo Police Department moved quickly to manage the threat. After securing the perimeter, their primary focus was the unexploded grenade found at the scene. Experts in bomb disposal were called in to safely deactivate the device with a controlled explosion.
Understanding the ongoing danger, the police issued an urgent emergency alert to citizens' mobile phones. The alert advised people in the Pilestredet area to stay away from windows and avoid the vicinity entirely due to the potential risk of further explosions. While no full-scale evacuation was ordered, the warning emphasized extreme caution. Significant disruption resulted from the incident, including the evacuation of neighboring trams and the suspension of city center services.
Police officials stated that their main theory is that a hand grenade was deliberately planted in the area. The investigation is ongoing to determine the motives and identities of all individuals involved. A day after a drone forced Oslo Airport to shut temporarily, central Oslo faced another security scare. Though the events aren’t confirmed to be linked, they have raised alarm over safety in the area.
This is a developing story. Updates may follow.
