Norway in shock after deadly double attack

By Lelethu Mquqo
23 July 2011

Norway is in shocked mourning after almost 90 people were killed in twin attacks in the capital Oslo and at a youth camp for members of the governing Labour party.

A 32-year-old Norwegian man is thought to have opened fire on teenagers at the youth camp on Utoya Island, shortly after detonating a huge explosion outside Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s office in the capital. At least 80 people were killed on the island alone.

Many of the wounded are still being treated in hospital and it is feared that the death toll could rise.

The bomb blast caused immense damage in Oslo.

It was initially thought to have been terror attacks, with an Islamic group claiming responsibility.

But police have identified the suspect as Anders Behring Breivik. He was characterised by officials as a right-wing extremist.

Investigators are still probing terror as a possible motive because of Norway’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan.