[Norway] Aftenposten - The Evening Post

[Odinson]

THE EVENING POST​

 

[Odinson]

THE KAPITAL TOWER HAS COLLAPSED IN OSLO
Thousands are feared dead as police, firefighters, and military search for survivors.
​

DEVELOPING STORY: The Kapital Tower in Oslo has suffered a full-scale collapse. The Kapital Tower was one of the tallest buildings in Norway, and stood twenty-five stories tall. City officials have confirmed that during business hours, "at least one-thousand people occupy the tower." The Mayor has called all off-duty firefighters and police officers into service to assist in relief efforts. Sources from the Ministry of Defense have confirmed that elements of the military have also been activated to respond to the ongoing disaster in Oslo. Parkveien 45 has confirmed that the Prime Minister has been briefed on the disaster. Shortly thereafter, the Prime Minister released a statement:
"I am ordering a full mobilization of the government to deal with this crisis - no resources are being spared as we move assets and personnel to the site. Citizens who are not part of the relief efforts should stay in-doors and out of the way of first-responders."

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Kripos is already investigating the collapse in order to determine if it is related to terrorism, human error, or something else.

​

 

[Odinson]

KAPITAL TOWER COLLAPSE 'WAS DONE INTENTIONALLY'
The Prime Minister has released a statement, the Army is deployed in Oslo, and Kripos is investigating.

Confirmed image of heavily armed police outside of the Storting Building in downtown Oslo.
​

Prime Minister Frost delivered a short statement to the press shortly ago. In this statement he stated that the government had "credible evidence" that the collapse of Kapital Tower "was done intentionally". The Prime Minister discouraged citizens from approaching the area, and encouraged residents of Oslo that were not involved with the relief efforts to remain indoors. Dr. Frost stated that citizens who wish to help could participate in a blood-drive at Oslo Cathedral, which has been organized by the Church of Norway's Bishop of Oslo. As of now, the Prime Minister and the government have not stated who was behind the collapse of the tower, or how it was done. Sources to Aftenposten confirm that Kripos has been called in to investigate the collapse of the tower. Sources also confirm that there are "an unusually high number of survivors for a collapse of a structure this large."

Prime Minister Frost also authorized the deployment of the First and Second Regiments of the Army into Oslo. There are also confirmed reports that the King's Guard has also been sent to the site of the tower. This marks the first time since the Nazi invasion of Norway that the Armed Forces have been needed in significant numbers in Oslo itself. The police, firefighters, doctors, and other medical staff have been flooding into the area of the collapsed tower with the assistance of the city. Mayor Borgen has called all off-duty firefighters and police officers "back into service" and has cancelled all leave time. The Foreign Ministry has stated that both the Swedish and French governments have sent their condolences to the government. President Le Pen reportedly spoke with Foreign Minister Vinter shortly after the collapse of the tower, and offered Norway any and all resources needed to save lives.

After the statement by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that Kripos is investigating the collapse of Kapital Tower "as a crime and possible act of terrorism". The Minister of Justice, Christopher Hall, had this to say to reporters outside of Akershus Fortress where the Prime Minister is assumed to be at this time: "We presently have means, but not motive for the destruction of Kapital Tower. I encourage anyone with information to contact their local police with information, or to contact Kripos directly."

Although it wasn't released as an official press release, copies of the Defense Ministry's notice to soldiers around the country was made public. Norway's "Defense Status" has been elevated, and certain regiments of the Armed Forces have been "Activated" meaning that they need to report to their duty stations and await further instruction. Also, certain points on the border with Sweden and other ports of entry have been militarized with heavily armed soldiers placed in visible places.

The Office of The Prime Minister announced that he would be issuing a complete statement on the collapse of Kapital Tower tonight. Here is the full statement he made a couple of hours after the collapse of the towers:


"Hello... At 12:32 this afternoon, Kapital Tower suffered a full structural failure and collapsed. The government has credible evidence that this was done intentionally. We are not sure yet who it was, or why they did it, but we will find them, and we will bring them to justice... Kapital Tower is... was twenty-five stories tall. Over one-thousand people worked in that tower, with many more commuters in it every day. I have ordered the deployment of military forces into Oslo to assist with the recovery efforts. I've been to the site myself, and I can confirm there are survivors.. This is a highly sensitive area, and I highly discourage anyone from trying to approach it. If you would like to help, however, I've been told that the Bishop of Oslo is organizing a blood drive at Oslo Cathedral. Please donate blood, there are many injured people.. and children.

"I will have more information for you this evening. For now, I encourage everyone to stay home and report any suspicious information to the police, or Kripos, who have both set up hotlines that your networks will be showing at the bottom of your screen now. Please join me in a moment of silence for the victims and their families. Acts of evil such as this will not be tolerated and will not go unanswered. God bless you all."

​

 

[Odinson]

THE STORTING RATIFIES 'THE NORDIC CONCORDANT'
A critical first step in Scandinavian relations has been reached after Norway ratifies a defense treaty.

The flags of the Kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark (left to right).

​

H.M. The King granted Royal Assent to "The Nordic Concordant" treaty between the three Scandinavian countries which has been ratified by the Storting. The treaty has wide support from both the Conservative Party and Labor, who were able to hold a rare joint press conference in support of it. The treaty specifies a joint-defense initiative between the Scandinavian countries where they will work together in the field of defense. According to the Anthony Vinter, Minister of Foreign Affairs, "This treaty will not only allow our armed forces to work together, but it will make the Scandinavian countries a powerful defensive bloc in Europe."

The Nordic Concordant is technically a separate document from the Nordic Council, which is still being discussed among Scandinavian diplomats and has yet to be formally formed. The Concordant itself creates a unique position called the "Supreme Nordic Commander" who will lead the joint-defensive efforts of Scandinavia in times of peace, and will strategically lead the armed forces of all three countries in times of war. The Minister of Defense accidentally mentioned on microphone that he thinks the first Supreme Nordic Commander will be a Norwegian.

 

[Odinson]

ROYAL AIR FORCE SCRAMBLES FIGHTER JETS
Unconfirmed reports of Russian aircraft prompt the RAF to scramble aircraft.

Amateur photo of F-16s being scrambled from Bodo Air Station. Photo Credit: Lilly Royse.

​

Aftenposten has received confirmation from two government officials that "a large number of armed Russian aircraft are presently off the Norwegian coast." Several pictures have been circulating of F-16s being scrambled from Bodo Air Station, while additional reports have confirmed that fighter jets were also scrambled from an airbase near Oslo. Air raid sirens are currently sounding at the air station near Oslo, which has induced a level of panic in the capital.

The Prime Minister was attending a public event at Oslo Central Station this morning when his security detail promptly brought him back to his motorcade and reportedly drove him back to Inkognitogata 18. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was also reportedly diverted from his daily duties, however where he is at this time is not clear. Reports from the outskirts of Oslo have confirmed elevated levels of military activity from the Army, but the Minister of Defense has yet to release a statement on this. A number of warships have also reportedly been seen leaving Oslofjord, however this has not been verified at this time.

The government has not yet released an official statement. However, the government officials our reports spoke to say that the Armed Forces believe "Scandinavia may be under attack." We will continue to post updates to this story as it evolves.

​

 

[Odinson]

SWEDEN AND NETHERLANDS LOAN 8-BILLION TO GOVERNMENT
The national government accepted billions in low-interest loans to pay off unexpected military expenditures.

​

The Ministry of Finance has quietly obtained over 8-billion kroner from Sweden and The Netherlands in two unrelated transactions. The Ministry of Finance issued a monthly report which showed that a 2-billion kroner, 1% interest loan from the Dutch government was obtained weeks ago. The same report also showed that less than a day ago, the Swedish government issued a loan with similar terms, but roughly three times the amount of money. Sources from within the government claim that while the Ministry sought out the Swedish loan, the Dutch loan actually first offered from the government of The Netherlands without asking. These same sources claim that this may have been The Netherlands trying to mend relations with the government after a disagreement occurred with how to handle the communist government in Belgium.

In fact, the recent situation in Belgium appears to be what caused the government, specifically the Ministry of Defense, to make such massive expenditures. The government was already in debt the Ministry of Finance issued "Royal Treasury Bonds" in order to "obtain revenue for military and national infrastructure projects," according to Royal Treasurer Arve Hove. Some of this money was used to pay for the high speed rail network now connecting Oslo to the Oslo's international airport. The military expenditures that came as a result of the situation in Belgium came from a "serious consideration of armed military intervention" said Author Hansen, a civil servant from the Ministry of Defense. "The government wanted us to be prepared for any eventuality," he continued, "and honestly the Army and Royal Marines desperately needed new equipment. It was expensive, but it has greatly improved our situation."

The recent incursion from Russian aircraft has only made more calls from the government coalition to increase the strength of the armed forces. Prime Minister Frost, however, has recently remained silent on whether or not more military expenditures would be made. The government has recently been focusing on building up the Nordic Council and its associated defense network, NORSCOM (Norwegian Strategic Command). Many of the government's ministers have been in talks with the Swedish government, and to a lesser-extent the Danish government, in the past week alone, including Dr. Frost. This afternoon, the Prime Minister was quoted outside of the Storting building as saying, "Our military cooperation between Norway, Sweden, and Denmark is our most important defensive objective. Scandinavia must remain united. Together, we can be the most powerful alliance in Europe."

Thanks to the loans from The Netherlands and Sweden, the Ministry of Finance projects that the government will pay off its debt in the next four to eight months.

​