Deadly Explosion Rocks Oslo; Youth Camp Also Attacked

By Mark Memmott,

Published July 22, 2011 at 9:58 AM EDT

1 of 16 — People light candles and lay flowers in central Oslo, Norway, on Saturday to pay tribute to the victims of twin attacks a day earlier. At least 91 people died in an explosion at government offices in the capital and a shooting at a youth camp on nearby Utoya island.

People light candles and lay flowers in central Oslo, Norway, on Saturday to pay tribute to the victims of twin attacks a day earlier. At least 91 people died in an explosion at government offices in the capital and a shooting at a youth camp on nearby Utoya island.

2 of 16 — Police and emergency services pass by covered bodies of victims of the attack on the Norwegian Labour Party youth summer camp on Utoya Island, while searching the waters for others on Saturday. Authorities said police also found explosives on the island.

Police and emergency services pass by covered bodies of victims of the attack on the Norwegian Labour Party youth summer camp on Utoya Island, while searching the waters for others on Saturday. Authorities said police also found explosives on the island.

3 of 16 — A survivor of the camp shooting embraces his father in Sundvolden, about 25 miles outside Oslo.

A survivor of the camp shooting embraces his father in Sundvolden, about 25 miles outside Oslo.

4 of 16 — Emergency personnel check on victims who were rescued from the water.

Emergency personnel check on victims who were rescued from the water.

5 of 16 — SWAT team members aim their weapons while people take cover during a shootout on the island Friday.

SWAT team members aim their weapons while people take cover during a shootout on the island Friday.

6 of 16 — An aerial view of Utoya island taken on Thursday.

An aerial view of Utoya island taken on Thursday.

7 of 16 — This screen grab of an undated photograph on Facebook shows the Norwegian suspect in the attacks, Anders Behring Breivik. The 32-year-old Christian fundamentalist is in police custody.

This screen grab of an undated photograph on Facebook shows the Norwegian suspect in the attacks, Anders Behring Breivik. The 32-year-old Christian fundamentalist is in police custody.

8 of 16 — People light candles in Oslo Cathedral on Saturday to pay tribute to the victims of the attacks.

People light candles in Oslo Cathedral on Saturday to pay tribute to the victims of the attacks.

9 of 16 — Debris covers the street outside buildings in the center of Oslo following Friday's explosion, which tore open several government buildings, including the prime minister's office.

Debris covers the street outside buildings in the center of Oslo following Friday's explosion, which tore open several government buildings, including the prime minister's office.

10 of 16 — Smoke rises from the city center following the explosion.

Smoke rises from the city center following the explosion.

11 of 16 — A man helps a wounded woman evacuate a building.

A man helps a wounded woman evacuate a building.

12 of 16 — Firefighters work the scene of a debris-filled street near the site of the blast.

Firefighters work the scene of a debris-filled street near the site of the blast.

13 of 16 — An official attempts to clear the street.

An official attempts to clear the street.

14 of 16 — People tend to a wounded person after the explosion.

People tend to a wounded person after the explosion.

15 of 16 — An injured man is treated at the scene.

An injured man is treated at the scene.

16 of 16 — Debris covers the area outside a building that was rocked by the explosion.

Debris covers the area outside a building that was rocked by the explosion.

Two tragic stories are playing out in Norway, where a large explosion today — or possibly more than one blast — caused deaths, injuries and extensive damage to government buildings in Oslo.

At the same time, there are reports that an individual dressed as a police officer opened fire at a youth Labor Party camp on an island in a fjord about 45 minutes from Oslo. News media in Norway say there were fatalities.

Authorities suspect that terrorists were likely behind the Oslo attack. And just before 2 p.m. ET they told local news outlets that they believe the events in Oslo and on the island of Utoya are connected.

We're following developments. Scroll down and "read up" if you need to start at the beginning. Be sure to hit "refresh" occasionally to see our latest updates.

Update at 8:13 p.m. ET. Unexploded Explosives Found On Island:

Reuters, VG and NRK are reporting that police found unexploded devices at the youth camp that was the site of the shooting. Police believe the explosives belonged to the man arrested on the scene.

NRK and VG also showed images of police searching the man's apartment.

We are calling it a night on the blog, but obviously this story continues to develop. If anything major breaks, we will pop back in.

But meanwhile, we'll leave you with a few links to Norwegian-language news sites. We've linked to the English version of the sites via Google Translate. While the translations are sometimes spotty, you can understand a great deal of what's being reported. Here are the links:

-- TV-2

-- NRK

-- Varden

-- Aftenposten

-- VG

Also the good people at Storyful have put together of news organizations and people in Norway tweeting about the attacks.

Update at 7:08 p.m. ET. Man Arrested Is 'Ethnic Norwegian:'

Throughout the day, there's been many reports about who the man arrested is. Now, NRK and multiple other outlets are reporting that the man is in his 30s and an "Ethnic Norwegian." Quoting eyewitnesses, NRK reports the man is "tall" and "blond" and spoke a dialect used near Oslo.

The AP moved an alert that quoted an unnamed Norwegian police official saying it looks like the man is not "linked to Islamist terrorism." The official said the investigation is still ongoing and "things can change."

Update at 5:25 p.m. ET. Obama Extends Condolences:

Earlier today at the Oval Office, President Obama said "our hearts" go out the Norwegian people.

"It's a reminder that the entire international community has a stake in preventing this kind of terror from occurring," the president said.

Update at 4:48 p.m. ET. Man Arrested Is Norwegian:

During a press conference, the AP reports that Norway's Justice Minister Knut Storberget said the man arrested in connection with the shooting at a youth camp near Oslo, is Norwegian.

The AP reports that Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said they would find those responsible and "hold them accountable."

Those behind the attacks "will not destroy our democracy," Stoltenberg said.

Update at 3:50 p.m. ET. Unknown Number Of Deaths On Island:

There are wildly conflicting reports from various outlets about how many people are believed to have been killed on the island. Here's how Norway's NRK is summing up that part of the story: "The police described the situation as chaotic, and can not yet determine with certainty how many people have died."

Update at 3:20 p.m. ET. Bogus Claim Of Responsibility?

CNA research analyst Will McCants to a claim of responsibility for the Oslo attack, posted on "jihadi forum" forum, from a group calling itself Helpers of the Global Jihad. Soon after McCants' original post, he " 'Helpers of Global Jihad' now says its claim is not the official claim and it had nothing to do w/ operation. Says wait for official claim." And the first "claim" has been erased, according to McCants. So it's unclear whether it ever had anything to do with today's attacks.

McCants' original post about the claim, though, is showing up in some media reports.

Update at 2:02 p.m. ET. Incidents Connected:

"It is now clear that there is a connection between the explosions in the city center" and the shootings at a youth camp on the nearby island of Utoya, police tell Norway's NRK news.

Update at 2 p.m. ET. Death Toll Rises To Seven In Oslo:

According to Norway's NRK news, "seven people are confirmed dead" from the blast (or blasts, it's still not clear if there was more than one) in Oslo.

Update at 1:15 p.m. ET. Arrest Reported In Shooting:

Bjorn Erik Jacobsen, head of information for the police in Northern Buskerud, tells Norway's NRK news that an individual has been arrested in connection with the reported shooting at a youth camp near Oslo. There's still no definite link between that incident and what happened in the city. There's also no official word on the casualties at the camp.

Update at 12:55 p.m. ET. On What's Happening On An Island Near Oslo:

The Associated Press just moved this alert: "Norway Labor Party spokesman tells AP several people shot at youth camp outside Oslo,"

Norway's Varden newspaper is quoting a local "county secretary" as saying he saw four people get shot there.

Norway's NRK news says that terrified campers are texting and tweeting that they are hiding. There are also reports of some trying to swim to safety.

It's important to remember that at this point, much is not known about what's happening in Norway — for instance, whether the explosion (or explosions) in Oslo are related to the reported attack on the youth camp.

Update at 12:34 p.m. ET. Report Of Shots Fired At Youth Gathering:

There's more on the other situation — which may not be related to the explosions. Norway's NRK news reports that "a person dressed as a police officer" reportedly fired shots at young people attending a Labor Party Youth League camp on the island of Utoya in a fjord about 45 minutes from Oslo.

Update at 12:17 p.m. ET. At Least Two Fatalities; "One Or More" Bombs:

"Oslo police officials say two people have been confirmed dead and 15 injured in a powerful bomb blast at the prime minister's office," The Associated Press now writes. And authorities say there were "one or more" bombs.

Update at 12:10 p.m. ET. "Critical Situation" Reported At Island:

Aftenpostennow writes that "TV 2 News channel reported that police also have received notification of a critical situation on Utoya, where Labour Youth is holding its annual summer camp." that the prime minister has said on Norwegian radio "there is a critical situation at Utoya and several ongoing operations as we speak."

Utoya is an island in a fjord about 45 minutes from Oslo.

Update at 11:55 a.m. ET. Another Way To Follow The News:

StoryfulPro has , and it includes English messages being posted by reporters in Oslo.

Update at 11:45 a.m. ET. Terrorism Suspected; Some Victims Reportedly Trapped:

Aftenposten writes that while "experts are still cautious" about assigning blame if it turns out this was indeed a car bomb, they "expect it to be very likely that there are terrorists who are behind" it.

Norway has been part of the military campaigns in Afghanistan and Libya.

The BBC reports it has been told by officials that some injured people may be trapped in the damaged buildings.

Update at 11:20 a.m. ET. Live Coverage:

Norway's NRK is now streaming its coverage here. Even if you don't speak the language, you'll likely be able to follow things.

Update at 11:15 a.m. ET. Car Bomb Blamed:

Reuters and The Associated Press are both citing local NTB news as saying that police have confirmed the explosion was caused by a car bomb.

Update at 11:08 a.m. ET. "Several Have Died":

Norway's NRK news now reports that police are confirming "several" deaths. It also reports that officials are to hold a news conference at 5:30 p.m. local time — in about 20 minutes.

Update at 11 a.m. ET. An Eyewitness Account:

Olaf Furniss told the BBC he was nearby. "It was a huge blast that blew out all the windows" in buildings, he said. "At first I thought it was a gas explosion, but when I stepped outside all the windows had been blown out from one the main government buildings." The scene was one of confusion, he added.

Update at 10:52 a.m. ET. One Death Reported:

Norway's says "one person confirmed dead." It's also now live-blogging the news here.

Update at 10:50 a.m. ET. Live Coverage:

There's — though demand may be overwhelming its capabilities.

Update at 10:37 a.m. ET. Shattered Windows Of 20-Floor Building:

"Witness Ole Tommy Pedersen was standing at a bus stop about 100 yards [away] at around 3:30 p.m. [local time] when he saw the blast shatter almost all windows of the 20-floor highrise" that houses government offices, The Associated Press reports. "He said a cloud of smoke is billowing from the bottom floors. 'I saw three or four injured people being carried out of the building a few minutes later,' Pedersen told The Associated Press."

Update at 10:34 a.m. ET. Many Injured:

From Norway's Aftenposten: "Many people are bleeding in the street outside, hit by broken glass that fell from the broken windows."

Update at 10:30 a.m. ET. "Full Chaos":

Norway's Aftenposten newspaper writes (the translation may not be exact) that "our reporter passed Market Street and there is full chaos people running around bewildered. ... You can smell the sulphur fumes."

Update at 10:10 a.m. ET. Extensive Damage; No Second Blast, News Agency Says:

Norway's NRK News has many photos and other coverage here. It reports that:

-- At least eight people were injured.

-- All the windows in one government building were blown out. The photos show extensive damage.

-- That while there have been reports of a second explosion in the area, "it is not true." One of the agency's reporters at the scene says the sound was broken glass falling out of windows.

Update at 10:05 a.m. ET. Prime Minister Reportedly Safe:

"Norwegian news agency NTB says the prime minister is safe," the AP adds.

Our original post:

Injured people lay on the ground at the site of an explosion near the government buildings in Norway's capital Oslo earlier today (July 22, 2011).

News is just starting to come in about an explosion in Oslo, Norway.

The Associated Press says it "shattered windows and led to evacuations of office buildings near the government headquarters."

Reuters calls it a "huge explosion" and says that Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's office was among those damaged. The wire service says at least several people were injured.

There's no definitive word yet about the cause.

Some photos and videos are starting to show up via Twitter (#Norway), but we can't vouch for their credibility just yet.

We'll update this post as the story develops. Hit your refresh button to see our latest additions.