Between 300 and 400 people were evacuated Sunday following a major landslide in Norway's capital, Oslo. Authorities fear two massive rock formations could collapse onto residential buildings.
Police described the operation near Carl Berners Plass as extensive. "This is a very large operation, and it's serious for those affected," the police operations leader said according to officials.
A geologist is assessing whether buildings remain at risk and if further landslides might occur. Emergency services report movement in the ground beneath the area.
The operations leader noted some positive news: "Fortunately, there haven't been additional landslides while we've been on site."
No injuries have been reported from the landslide, though one car was destroyed. Among the evacuated buildings are student housing complexes containing 290 apartments, including 45 family units.
Young residents stand behind emergency barriers holding bags filled with their belongings, waiting for assistance.
Oslo municipality is establishing a center for evacuated residents needing temporary accommodation. This landslide risk wasn't unexpected - the student housing organization received warnings about loose stones on the slope behind the buildings four years earlier.
Official documents noted "large amounts of loose stones in several places behind the netting" that could increase collapse risk over time. It remains unclear whether these warnings led to preventive measures.
The delayed action on known geological risks raises questions about preventive urban planning in Norway's capital, where rapid development sometimes overlooks environmental safety concerns.