A POWERFUL bomb explosion ripped through central Oslo on the afternoon of July 22nd, in the most devastating attack on a Scandinavian country since the second world war. Centred on the heart of Norway's political apparatus, it killed at least seven people, injured many more, and shattered windows in offices, shops and homes as far as one kilometre away. Buildings housing the prime minister's office, the justice ministry and the oil ministry suffered severe damage. Although the prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, and his cabinet members were unharmed, the windows of his 20-storey headquarters were blown out and its entrance lobby was flattened. Glass shards and twisted metal littered the streets.

A few hours after the explosion in Oslo, a bloodier second attack on the island of Utoya wreaked more havoc as a gunman opened fire on scores of teenagers gathered for a political camp. At least 80 people were killed in that attack.

Police have arrested a 32-year-old Norwegian man in the shooting. He "is suspected of having some right-wing sympathies" and was seen in Oslo prior to the explosion there, said a police spokesman.

Still, it is not yet known with certainty who is behind the attacks or what may have motivated them. Early attention was focused on Islamist terrorists, who had previously threatened the country over its involvement in Afghanistan and the press's publishing of cartoons depicting Muhammad in 2006. But the arrest suggests the responsible party may have had a national agenda. It is all just speculation at this point. During his press conference on Friday night, Mr Stoltenberg said the authorities still did not know who is behind the stunning violence.