US training bomb triggers security scare in Oslo

Buildings near the US embassy in the Norwegian capital were evacuated yesterday after embassy staff spotted a suspicious object under a vehicle.

But bomb disposal experts determined the object was a fake bomb used by the embassy in a recent drill, which staff apparently "had forgotten to remove," said Johan Fredriksen of the Oslo police.

Lockdown: The evacuation covered buildings within a 500-metre radius of the US Embassy, and included the Royal Palace. Pic/AFP

US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said security staff had identified a suspicious device and took appropriate action, but it turned out to be a "non-threatening training device previously used in an exercise".

"We regret any disruption caused not only for visitors to the embassy and others, but neighbours, and we take any potential threat seriously and respond immediately," he said.u00a0