Israeli embassy in Copenhagen rocked by two explosions as Iran war tensions explode

Tyler Mitchell By Tyler Mitchell Oct2,2024

Three men have been arrested after two pre-dawn explosions occurred on Wednesday near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen, prompting the closure of a nearby Jewish school for the day.

Authorities confirmed that no one was injured and an investigation is underway to determine whether the blasts, which took place around 3.20 am, are linked to the Israeli diplomatic mission, which is located near several other embassies.

Police said two of the men were arrested on a train at Copenhagen’s central station, while the third was apprehended “elsewhere” in the city. None of the suspects have been identified. The Ekstra Bladet newspaper published photos of a man in a white hazmat suit being escorted by police from a train platform at the central station.

Heavily armed officers, search dogs, and forensic teams are currently inspecting the area, which has been cordoned off.

Copenhagen’s Jewish school, Carolineskolen, located just down the street from the embassy, was already scheduled to close on Thursday and Friday for the Jewish New Year holidays, according to Michael Rachlin, a spokesperson for Denmark’s Jewish community.

In addition, extra security measures have been implemented around the main synagogue in central Copenhagen. Community chairman Henrik Goldstein urged people to remain vigilant in public spaces.

“I also encourage everyone to be critical of rumours and what is shared on social media,” he wrote, adding that “there is no reason to avoid participating in Jewish life.”

Police have not provided details about the scale of the explosions or any potential damage.

Denmark’s Justice Minister, Peter Hummelgaard, told broadcaster TV2 that the incident was “inherently serious” but said it was too early to speculate about a motive.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, the area around the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm was sealed off after a loud bang was reported. Police later stated that evidence from the scene suggested the embassy had been struck by bullets. No arrests have been made in connection with that incident.

Swedish broadcaster TV4 reported that a weapon and an empty shell casing had been found near the embassy. Sweden’s domestic security agency said it was not conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter, leaving it to the ordinary police.

Police spokeswoman Rebecca Landberg said: “It is true that the police have made findings at the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, but we will not disclose the details due to pre-investigation confidentiality.”

In late January, the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm was temporarily sealed off after a “dangerous object,” later identified by Swedish media as a hand grenade, was found on its grounds in an eastern neighbourhood of the city.

Sweden’s Justice Minister, Gunnar Strömmer, expressed his concern about both incidents, telling the Swedish news agency TT: “I take the shooting at Israel’s Embassy in Stockholm last night and the events reported from Copenhagen this morning very seriously.”

Tyler Mitchell

By Tyler Mitchell

Tyler is a renowned journalist with years of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, and technology. His insightful analysis and compelling storytelling have made him a trusted source for breaking news and expert commentary.

Related Post