Students in Oslo finally returned to their homes Sunday after a week-long evacuation. A landslide near Carl Berners Plass forced approximately 200 students from their residences.
Philip Ludvigsen opened his refrigerator for the first time in over a week. He held up a package of salmon fillet that was once fresh.
"Do you think this is still good to eat?" Ludvigsen asked jokingly.
The student had lived in a hotel for a week with daily breakfast buffets. Now he returns to student life with noodles, oatmeal and lectures.
"It's nice to be home again," he said.
Ludvigsen said communication from student housing authorities could have been better. But he appreciated the quick accommodation arrangements.
Like about 200 other students, Ludvigsen was evacuated a week ago. Many left their homes immediately as they were going about their day.
Student Edward Worrall didn't even have time to pack socks when evacuated.
"I wish I had taken bigger shoes," Worrall said Monday.
Worrall heard the landslide through his window but didn't take it seriously at first.
"I thought someone had dropped something," he explained.
Lotte and her boyfriend Rob also initially underestimated the landslide's severity.
"We were just inside relaxing and went out to buy some food," said Lotte Graas.
They only brought a small bag with wallet and phone on their shopping trip. When they returned, they couldn't get back in.
"So we have nothing now, not even a toothbrush," she said.
Twenty-two-year-old Finn Schuler also evacuated empty-handed.
"I got nothing with me, and I didn't take anything," Schuler said. When asked what he needed from his apartment, he answered immediately: "Underwear and phone charger."
The landslide occurred October 26 in a slope between a residential building and student housing blocks. Due to landslide risk, students couldn't return until Sunday, November 2.
Student housing director Andreas Eskelund said work continues at the landslide site despite students returning home.
"There will still be some construction work behind the house now," Eskelund said. "We're removing more mass and will work on assessing longer-term safety measures."
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) established three criteria that had to be met before students could return. These included monitoring the landslide area and better securing remaining mass.
NGI will continue monitoring and collecting data to plan permanent safety measures. The institute regularly assessed the area and determined landslide risk remained until the largest rock masses were secured.
Eskelund assured the building is now safe for students but said all student residences will be evaluated following the landslide.
"That's natural in retrospect for such an event," he noted.
Student Ludvigsen said he isn't afraid of new landslides.
"I feel safe now," Ludvigsen said after moving back. "I trust what NGI reported and that they'll continue safety work."
One section of the building returned home quickly after the evacuation. Residents in a housing cooperative above the landslide returned Wednesday. The remaining 200 students had to wait until Sunday.
"It's been a different and very demanding week," said student housing director Eskelund. "At the same time, we're very happy now that things have gone as well as they have."
Students received food packages upon returning Sunday. They were also greeted by Norway's Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland.
"I want to thank the students for their patience," Aasland said.
The minister praised student housing authorities for their handling of the situation.
"From the outside, this has been a formidable effort from the student welfare organization," Aasland said. "They provided quick accommodation and handled both small and large needs students had."
When asked about safety measures for new student housing construction, Aasland said thorough work had been done in the past week.
"Then we must do analyses going forward too," she added. "Ensure we both learn from this and that all student housing will be safe."
Construction equipment will remain part of daily life for returning students in the coming time. The situation highlights ongoing challenges with urban development in Oslo's hilly terrain.
Oslo landslide student evacuation demonstrates how quickly natural events can disrupt urban life, even in well-prepared Scandinavian cities.