Oslo, Norway was rocked today by a series of coordinated terrorist attacks.
The first attack was a massive vehicle bomb that targeted the block of government buildings in downtown, including the Prime Minister Jen Stoltenberg's office. While he's reported safe, two people are reported dead so far and many others injured by a massive blast that shook buildings and blew out windows. There was also a second bomb that exploded minutes later.The explosives were described by Norwegian authorities as fertilizer bombs, an al-Qaeda trademark.Many are still reported trapped in the rubble of the collapsed buildings.
Another attack occurred at a youth summer camp on Utøya Island, a popular resort. Early reports indicate that a man or men dressed in policemen's uniforms opened fire on the campers. The attackers were able to get to the island by using fake uniforms and IDs. Many of the campers were able to escape by swimming for the mainland. Four people have been reported dead, and at least one of the shooters is reported to have been arrested.
The attacks are being linked to the arrest of three al-Qaeda members who were arrested in Norway last summer for plotting an attack. Meanwhile a group that calls itself "Helpers of the Global Jihad" posted a message online that this is only the beginning of the reaction to Norwegian periodicals publishing the Mohammed cartoons.
More as it comes in.
UPDATE: The death toll from the explosions has now officially risen to seven. Police are saying 'foreigners' were involved, but in Norway's politically correct culture that's as far as they'll go right now.
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