A landslide struck a hillside near Carl Berners Square in Oslo on Sunday evening. The incident forced the evacuation of several apartment blocks housing 300-400 people. Emergency services fear two massive boulders could still collapse.
Geologists are currently assessing the unstable slope. One evacuated building is a student residence owned by the Oslo Student Union.
City planning officials had warned about potentially dangerous conditions at Hasleveien 9-13 back in 2021. They sent a formal letter to the student union following a safety complaint received that April. The warning specifically noted loose stones behind protective netting that could increase landslide risk over time.
The planning department urged the student union to monitor the area and take necessary precautions. Sunday's landslide occurred in this exact location, dragging parts of the protective netting down the slope. It remains unclear whether the previously identified hazards directly contributed to this incident.
Student union officials say their current focus is assisting emergency services and affected residents. The union's communications director stated they cannot address other questions until residents can return safely.
The student union managing director confirmed they addressed the 2021 warning immediately. Workers performed safety measures and removed loose materials. He added that annual inspections have been conducted since then.
Emergency command estimates the landslide spans approximately 20 meters wide. Evacuated buildings include student residences at Hasleveien 9 and 11 below the slide, plus apartments at Sukkertoppveien 1-5 above the affected area.
The city has established an evacuation center at Alnabru to assist displaced residents.
This situation raises questions about how effectively early warnings translate into preventive action, especially when multiple parties share responsibility for public safety.