[UPDATE] Videos: Multiple Explosions Rock Government Buildings In Oslo, At Least 2 Dead

[Update below about a shooting at a youth camp] "Unreal," writes Twitter user Christian Algnen. "Entire block has exploded! Huge explosion rocks Oslo, Norway!" Officials say two explosions at a government building in Oslo today killed two people, and a local police chief says there are "a lot" of casualties. At this hour, people are still trapped inside the building, and the Norwegian Prime Minister, whose office is in the building, reportedly survived the blast. ABC News reports that at least one of the explosions was caused by a car bomb. Here are harrowing videos of the aftermath:

The blasts blew out the windows of several office buildings on the block just after 3:30 p.m. local time. A local man tells the Times, "Of course, I’m scared, because Norway is such a neutral country." So far no group has taken responsibility for the blast, and a U.S. counter-terrorism official told ABC he "there is no indication yet of motive or suspects."

The Times reports that Norway "has seen little political violence in recent years, the country has a small fighting contingent in Afghanistan and was one of several countries cited by Ayman al-Zawahri, the Al Qaeda leader, as potential targets for attack. In 2006, Norwegian newspapers reprinted Danish cartoons that angered Muslims by lampooning the Prophet Muhammad." For more, the BBC has live updates. [Twitpic and video via The Awl]

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: There are multiple reports that a gunman dressed in a police uniform opened fire at a ruling Labour party youth meeting on Utoya Island, Norway. According to one report, four people were killed, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Norwegian state broadcaster NRK reports that five people were injured in the shooting, and the French news agency AFP reports that Norwegian police are telling Oslo residents to stay at home.

"It is necessary to avoid big gatherings, to go back home," AFP quotes a police officer as saying. "It is wise to stay at home."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on July 22, 2011 12:08 PM

Comments [rss]

soothsayer

that first photo looks like Kips Bay Towers

S.D.

Yeah, I'm sure all the "Islam DID it!!!!" crowd here meant the Blond Blue Eyed Muslims (They actually do exist..) and not anyone actually from the Middle East.

Uh-Huh.

Pam "I have NAZI Friends" Geller must be beside herself...

ixvnyc

So, it looks like it was a white (blond) citizen of Norway. Too bad for all the racist pricks who will have to wait a bit longer for an opportunity to unleash their senseless xenophobic crap, at which time they will conveniently forget about this particular terrorist act (just like they forgot Oklahoma City) which doesn't "count" because it wasn't done by a brown person.

Guest

I'm sorry - where did anyone say anything about a brown person?

ixvnyc

Ah, so I'm to assume that those who don't distinguish between Muslims and Al Qaeda do distinguish between Sikhs and Hindus and Muslims, and give some of them a pass, and condemn the rest of them ("rightfully", right?).

Guest

You're stepping all over your argument. You assumed we meant "brown people" when we were talking about Islam which actually shows your ignorance more than anything else.

ixvnyc

I admit: I'm ignorant of the ways and thoughts of deranged bigots like yourself.

Guest

No, no - don't twist this. You made the assumption that we were talking about "brown people" because we were referencing Islam. In your ignorant and narrow mind Islam = brown people, you terrible little bigot.

Just admit you got it wrong and move along. It happens.

ixvnyc

Let me explain to that tiny little brain of yours: assuming that a racist prick like yourself discriminants based race like he does based on religion is NOT the same as assuming that a given race = a given religion. Do you have the mental capacity to understand that? I think not

Guest

Please point out to me where I was wrong. Please. If this wasn't the work of Islamic extremists, if you have information that the rest of us don't have, please - share.

But if you don't have anything to go on other than I was right about something your psyche so desperately needs me to be wrong on, just apologize and walk away.

ixvnyc

It is WRONG to assume that anyone (including Islamic extremists) is guilty before there is any shred of evidence or indication that they are. You are the one who needs to share any info pointing to Islamic extremists, and not me needing to show info to the contrary.

How is it possible that you don't understand that? How?

Guest

And again - you're the one coming here slinging the names around - you DO need to back your shit up with some facts beyond what you feel.

Guest

I already posted - the highly coordinated type of attack it was against the targets that were bombed. That was a MASSIVE bomb outside the PMs office and as important, the newspaper that published the cartoons of Big Mo. I'll ask you how you don't see that since this is the second time I'm saying it. It's Occam's Razor - when you hear the thunder of hooves, you don't think zebras. Let me relate it another way - when an abortion clinic got bombed, you probably automatically went to "White Christian Male," didn't you? Were you wrong? Were you a bigot for thinking that?

You can't go making wild assumptions (such as I'm a bigot) but you can't also live with your head up your ass.

ixvnyc

Ha, ha.. well, I guess so much for linking those marks exclusively to Al Qaeda after this, right?

Guest

I'm willing to admit I'm wrong but you also have to accept that if I am, pretty much the entire everyone reporting the thing was, too.

ixvnyc

I apologize for calling you names. I just read that 80 young people were shot dead on that island. Puts arguments like this into perspective. I feel sick.

Guest

Kind of does, doesn't it? Hug it out?

ixvnyc

Peace.

Guest

For the record, it was obvious that a highly organized attack like this was the work of Islamic extremists. Certain groups act in certain ways and act at certain targets. It's not racism, or anti-religionism or whatever - it's know what's what.

I'll bet you were one of the chorus of retards screeching about right wing extremism before the smoke in the Loughner shooting cleared though. Nothing to base it on other than you just seem the type.

ixvnyc

On this thread, you posted what are probably two most idiotic comments in the history of Gothamist, and you think you can still stick around to discuss anything else? You think anyone gives a damn whether you are racist against just one group, and not against two? Just shut up, and go to a corner and die of shame.