Explosion shakes Oslo govt buildings

OSLO: A powerful explosion rocked government and media buildings in Norway's capital Oslo on Friday, dealing heavy damage and leaving at least several people injured, police and local media said.

"A powerful explosion has taken place in the government quarter," Norwegian police said in a statement.

Details were scarce, but images shown on Norwegian television showed the prime minister's office and other buildings heavily damaged, sidewalks covered in broken glass and smoke rising from the area.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was not believed to have been in his office at the time of the blast.

Police had sealed off the area, which houses the offices of the prime minister, the finance ministry and the country's biggest tabloid newspaper Verdens Gang (VG). (AFP)