Norway Police Investigate How Many Blasts Hit Oslo

Rescue officials tend to a wounded man after a powerful explosion rocked central Oslo, Norway on 22 July 2011. EPA/BGNES

The Norwegian police have been unable to confirm how many explosions hit Oslo Friday afternoon in a bomb attack on Norway's government complex that caused widespread chaos.

"We cannot confirm that the bomb was planted in a vehicle," Egil Vrekke, an assistant chief constable of the Oslo police, told the BBC in a blitz interview.

He confirmed that 2 persons have been killed, and eight others have been wounded, and said that the Oslo police is focusing on the ongoing rescue operation.

The police have cordoned off large areas, searching for trapped persons, even though Vrekke did not confirm earlier reports that a number of people might be trapped inside the damaged buildings.

He further refused to comment on whether the police had a warning of any organization of a pending terrorist attack.

The blasts that rattled the Norwegian government complex in downtown Oslo have been caused by a bomb, according to Norway's police.

It is still unclear who is behind the attack in also, and if it is the case of terrorism with local or international grievances. Guesses range from local causes to Norway's participation in the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan and in the NATO-led air strikes against the regime of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Norwegian news agency NTB has announced that Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is safe. According to local media reports, the blasts were directed against the VG, whose office is in the same building.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!