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Norway marks 15 years since deadly 2011 attacks
🇩🇰 Denmark /Conflict & Security

Norway marks 15 years since deadly 2011 attacks

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Norway is commemorating the 15th anniversary of the 2011 attacks that killed 77 people.
  • The attacks involved a bombing in the government quarter and a shooting at a youth political camp on Utøya island.
  • Commemorations include a ceremony with speeches, a reading of the victims' names, wreath-laying, and a church service, with a permanent memorial also recently inaugurated.

Norway is marking the 15th anniversary of the horrific attacks of July 22, 2011, which claimed the lives of 77 people. The day's events began with a memorial ceremony in Oslo, attended by representatives of support groups and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The ceremony included the reading of the names of all those who perished and the laying of wreaths, followed by a church service at Oslo Cathedral, with King Harald and Queen Sonja in attendance.

It went from being a safe atmosphere, which we are in all the time in life, to suddenly being like in a horror film. I was terrified.

— Ola Helmich Borchgrevink PedersenPedersen described the shift in atmosphere on Utøya island as the attacks unfolded.

The attacks, carried out by right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik, began with a bomb detonating in the Norwegian government quarter, killing eight people. Breivik then proceeded to Utøya island, where he, disguised as a police officer, opened fire on participants at a summer camp organized by the Labour Party's youth wing. On the island, 69 individuals, mostly young people, were killed.

Ola Helmich Borchgrevink Pedersen, who was 16 at the time of the attacks and is now an advisor in the Ministry of Finance, shared his harrowing experience with VG. He described the initial confusion turning into panic as the reality of the shooting became clear. Pedersen recounted the overwhelming fear and the instinct to flee, stating he had never run so fast in his life. He also spoke of the personal loss, having lost his girlfriend, Margrethe Bøyum Kløven, who was also 16.

The body completely took over and prepared to flee, to survive. I have never experienced running so fast in my entire life.

— Ola Helmich Borchgrevink PedersenPedersen recounted his immediate physical reaction to the unfolding violence on Utøya.

In addition to the ceremonies, Norway recently inaugurated a permanent memorial to the attacks in the government quarter. The 12-meter-high sculpture features a mosaic made from stones sourced from Utøya island and the nearby Tyrifjorden lake. The names of the 77 victims are inscribed on the structure's lower beam, serving as a lasting tribute to those lost. Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 2012, the maximum penalty at the time.

Therefore, Utøya is very much about her for me.

— Ola Helmich Borchgrevink PedersenPedersen explained the personal significance of Utøya, referring to his lost girlfriend.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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