INTL US embassy in Norway evacuated due to bomb scare

US embassy in Norway evacuated due to bomb scare

Published - Jul 31 2012 05:59AM EST

Associated Press

OSLO, Norway (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Norway was evacuated on Tuesday after its security staff found a suspicious object beneath a nearby automobile.

Norwegian police said the embassy and the surrounding area, including the royal palace, were cleared of people in the heart of Norway's capital, and that a bomb squad with sniffer dogs was dispatched there.

"It's a large area — around 500 meters (yards) surrounding the embassy," said police spokesman Martin Todnem, adding that police received a call from embassy security staff at 11.22 a.m.

The NTB news agency reported that visitors to the royal place, the residence of the nation's monarch, were also cleared, but that its staff members remained there. The royal family was not in the palace at the time, the agency reported.
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Bomb scare closes US Embassy in Norway
Published - Jul 31 2012 07:54AM EST

Nils Myklebost, Associated Press

OSLO, Norway (AP) — The U.S. Embassy and an area of central Oslo were evacuated on Tuesday when a fake explosive device was mistakenly left beneath a vehicle trying to enter the compound, police said.

The discovery of the device by security guards also led to the evacuation of the royal palace, the halting of subway traffic in the area, and the cancellation of an international children's soccer game at nearby Voldslokka Stadium so police could use the field for helicopters.

The bomb scare and police search closed the entire area for several hours.

"The Oslo police bomb squad has removed the object and can confirm that it was a dummy bomb," police said in a statement. "The car has been used for an internal drill at the embassy, and the find can be connected to this."

Norway's monarch was not at the palace at the time, but people visiting it were evacuated during the security check.

The U.S. Embassy did not immediately comment about how the mistake had been made.


Looks like this one was a test!