Broadcasters Worldwide Cover Norway Terrorist Attack as Death Toll Rises

Last Updated on Sunday, 24 July 2011 12:50 Friday, 22 July 2011 16:37

Written by Kevin Coy

News, business and general television networks around the world switched to breaking news coverage Friday as a terrorist attack took place in Norway. A bomb blast has ripped through the city of Oslo in Norway killing at least 8, and a gun attack at a political rally on the island of Utoya killing at least 85 youths.

Latest Updates

Person injured in Friday's Oslo explosion dies in hospital taking death toll to 93
Police mount armed raids in Oslo on Sunday morning.
Suspect admits to attacks, claims no laws broken.

Utoya Island Shootings

Norwegian police confirmed that a gunman dressed as a Norwegian police officer had opened fire at a ruling party youth summer camp on the island of Utoya, Norway, killing at least 85 people, with many others injured. A search is still ongoing for other potential victims and Norwegian anti-terror units were sent to the scene.

Around 600 young members of the ruling Labour party were attending their annual summer rally on the island retreat described by the Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as paradise. The Prime Minister said in a press conference late Friday night that the paradise had 'turned into hell'.

Helicopters and ambulances had been unable to reach the island of Utoya for several hours as the gunman carried out his attack as shots continued to be fired in the area. A man named Anders Behring Breivik was arrested at the scene, and is believed to have links with the extreme right in Norway.

The Prime Minister was due to visit the island on Saturday, and the former Prime Minister was reported to be at the island at some point prior to or during the attack.

A reception centre was set up in a local hotel on the mainland opposite the island for concerned relatives.

Oslo Bombing

Several buildings in Oslo, including the office of the Prime Minister were devestated by the blast, which killed 7 people and seriously injured 2. A large number of people were also reported to be 'walking wounded'. Other government buildings, including the Oil Ministry, and the headquarters of a popular tabloid newspaper were damaged in the blast.

Oslo police confirmed that the blast in Oslo was the result of a bomb, reported to have been placed in a car, with the police investigating whether the bomb might have been based on fertiliser nitrate because of a strong smell of sulphur present in the area immediately after the blast. There were sporadic reports of a second explosion in the city, with the police confirming that the explosion was caused by "one or more bombs".

A Norway government official, whilst confirming that the Prime Minister was safe, also reported to the BBC that people were trapped in buildings at the bomb site. Searches are continuing Saturday for other potential victims in the rubble nearest to the blast site.

Oslo police also confirmed that the studios of TV2 had been evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious package.

News Coverage

BBC Coverage of Oslo Bombing CNN International and Bloomberg Television were the first to break the story, shortly followed by the UK's Sky News and BBC News Channel. The three main news networks in the United States, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC also switched to continuous coverage as the details of the attacks became apparent.

TVNewser reports that the US based networks quickly returned to more normal programming: "While the story has become the big story on CNN International, the U.S.-based channels are providing occasional updates, interspersed with the more standard political fare."

CNN International sent correspondents Jim Boulden and Diana Magnay to Oslo.

Television networks in Norway switched to continuous live coverage of the terrorist attacks, and became key way of getting information out to Norwegian citizens. The pan-European Euronews network switched to rolling news coverage of the attack, showing extended versions of its well regarded 'No Comment' feature where footage of the aftermath are played with no voiceover or commentary.

On radio, the BBC's domestic UK news station Five Live switched to rolling coverage, broadcasting a News Special at 21:00 BST Friday, whilst BBC World Service broadcast extended updates.

Worldwide Reaction

US President Barack Obama said that the terrorist attack is "a reminder that the world has a role in stopping terror from happening", and he expressed his condolences to the people of Norway.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was 'outraged' by the terrorist attack in Norway. He said: "My thoughts are with the wounded and those who have lost friends and family, and I know everyone in Britain will feel the same. These attacks are a stark reminder of the threat we all face from terrorism. I have called Prime Minister Stoltenberg this evening to express my sincere condolences and to let him know that our thoughts are with the Norwegian people at this tragic time. I have offered Britain's help, including through our close intelligence cooperation."

The UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague added; "We condemn all acts of terrorism and will stand shoulder to shoulder with Norway in the face of such atrocities".

The leader of the UK's Labour Party, Ed Miliband also issued a statement in which he said; "I’m horrified by events in Norway. These senseless acts are an affront to decent people everywhere. All my thoughts are with the Norwegian people."

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has sent a letter to her second cousin, King Harald of Norway. She said; "I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic loss of life of so many people on the island of Utoya and in Oslo. Prince Philip joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to Your Majesty and the people of Norway. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful atrocity."

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said; "Pakistan itself, has suffered enormously from terrorist attacks and full empathizes with the government and the people of Norway".

Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President commented; "An attack of this magnitude is not something one would expect in Norway, famously associated with peace at home and peace-making abroad."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said; "In this very serious and sad situation, we stand firmly at the side of the Norwegian people, who are living through one of their darkest days. Our thoughts are with the victimes and their loved ones."