Norway marks fifth anniversary of Breivik massacre

NORWAY has paid tribute to the 77 people killed in a bombing and shooting rampage five years ago.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jul 2016, 17:10 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 17:04 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg speaks during a wreath-laying ceremony in Oslo, five years after the terrorist attack. Picture: AFP/Getty IImagesNorwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg speaks during a wreath-laying ceremony in Oslo, five years after the terrorist attack. Picture: AFP/Getty IImages
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg speaks during a wreath-laying ceremony in Oslo, five years after the terrorist attack. Picture: AFP/Getty IImages

Prime Minister Erna Solberg described the day of the massacre - July 22 2011 - as “one of the darkest days in Norwegian history” that will always be remembered.

She told a memorial ceremony: “We still see traces of the terrorist acts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The missed ones will always be there. Time does not heal all wounds.

“The biggest impact is felt inside us as human beings.”

Read More
Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 to be suspended

Ms Solberg, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit laid wreaths at the government quarters in Oslo, where Anders Behring Breivik exploded a car bomb that killed eight people before driving to the island of Utoya where he gunned down 69 people - mostly teenagers - at a youth summer camp.

Later, they attended a memorial service at Oslo Cathedral, which also included victims’ families and friends and representatives of a left-wing youth group that hosted the camp on Utoya.

In 2012, Breivik was convicted of mass murder and terrorism and given a 21-year prison sentence that can be extended for as long as he is deemed dangerous to society.

His attacks in the nation of five million traumatised the country, with about one in four people affected through connections with family, friends or acquaintances of the victims.

Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Norway’s prime minister at the time of the twin attacks in 2011, said he had painful memories of that day.

“It hurts to hear all the names read out,” Mr Stoltenberg said. “But it’s also good to be with other people who were affected that day, and we give each other support and comfort.”

In the afternoon, a ceremony was to be held on Utoya, a small island situated on a lake surrounded by wooded hills, 25 miles north-west of Oslo.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It reopened to the public a year ago, when 1,000 youth organisation students enrolled for a camp held in memory of the victims.

Like The Scotsman on Facebook

DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY