Bomb Blast And Shooting Shatter Norway’s Peace

22 July 2011

A powerful bomb blast hit government and media buildings in Norway’s capital Oslo today, killing at least seven people. Minutes later a gunman killed 10 people at a youth camp.

“Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is not believed to have been in his office at the time of the blast.

Police have sealed off the area, which houses the offices of the prime minister, the finance ministry and the country’s biggest tabloid newspaper Verdens Gang (VG).

Two cabinet ministers say that Mr Stoltenberg had been scheduled to be visiting areas far outside Oslo on Friday. The national news agency, NTB also reported that Mr Stoltenberg was “safe”.

Shooting

In a separate incident, a gunman disguised as a policeman opened fire at a Labour Party youth camp killing at least 10 people on the island of Utøya, one hour from Oslo.

Eye-witnesses described how a man dressed as a police office begun shooting indiscriminately at the young people attending the camp, some as young as 13. Several survivors were seen swimming away from the island to the mainland.

A statement by local police has confirmed the gunman, who is described as ‘caucasian’, has been arrested.

Terrorism

Norway’s image has been one of promoting peace around the world. Every November the Oslo-based Nobel Peace Committee awards the Nobel Peace Prize. With a population of 4.7 million, people live in peace without the security constraints of bigger developed nations.

Earlier in the day the fear was that Norway had been hit by a terrorist attack by Islamic extremists. Norway is a member of NATO and has played a significant role in the war in Afghanistan since 2001.

There is also a considerable Muslim population in Oslo, with Somalis forming the largest group, before Turks and Pakistanis.

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