Police in Oslo had to deal with everything from illegal and dangerous use of fireworks to a shooting and, in Haugesund, even someone biting someone else’s ear. Emergency services were busy around the country as well.
Violence, disturbance of the peace and reckless use of fireworks landed several in police custody, or in hospital emergency rooms. At least a dozen serious eye injuries were reported once again, while a man was arrested in Haugesund after biting off a portion of another man’s ear in a crowded bar. Both were in their 20s.
In Oslo, police faced rowdy youth gangs who were setting off fireworks in metro stations and on board metro cars. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported that some of them even fired rockets in the direction of people, buildings, vehicles and the police themselves. No one was injured but transit agency Sporveien closed metro stations at both Furuset and Ellingsrudåsen after fireworks were set off in both stations.
A man was arrested for carrying a gun into a bar on Hegdehaugsveien in Oslo and a stabbing was reported in Skien, while violent episodes also led to arrests in Stavanger and Ålesund. Several fires were also reported, in Horten, at a camping grounds at Tana in Finnmark, and at a house in Kristiansand, after someone shot fireworks through one of its windows.
News bureau NTB also documented a large and illegal display of fireworks set off by private individuals on and around the roof of Opera House in Oslo. The city had dropped its official fireworks display this year.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
