Thurles.Info are pleased to report that two Thurles natives, currently visiting in Oslo, are safe and well. Both men who were luckily out of their hotel when the explosion occurred, report tonight that they are without their baggage, passports and other belongings, but have been successfully in touch with the Irish Embassy in Oslo who have promised them every assistance.
The Thurles natives, both male, were staying at the Comfort Hotel Xpress, when the explosion occurred.
All residents have been evacuated from the badly damaged building and some are now resident at the Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania, formerly the Hotel Viking. Both report that the bomb blast tore through central Oslo, shattering windows and leaving at least seven civilian people dead and many injured.
The Thurles visitors report that large sections of the center of Oslo have now been evacuated. “There was a huge explosion, the windows just blew out. Glass everywhere covers the streets. There is much debris, people are injured. It was like a grenade explosion.” the couple report.
Using their iPhones they have been able to send us exclusive pictures of the devastation in the streets, prior to police urging people to stay away from the center of the city and to limit their use of mobile phones.
The attack is understood to be the deadliest in Europe since bomb blasts at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport in January last left at least 37 people dead.
Police state that they don’t expect further blasts, but the question now being asked is who is likely to be behind it. An earlier report this year, by Norwegian intelligence, claimed that there was an increased risk of a Jihadi terrorist attack, with Norwegian citizens reportedly receiving training in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan.
Oslo is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental centre of Norway. The city is also a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping. It is an important centre for maritime industries and maritime trade in Europe.
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