Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit have attended a service in memory of those killed and in consolation for those affected after the attack in Kongsberg.
Five people were killed with a bow and arrow in the Norwegian town on October 13th 2021 with another three people injured. The church service took place on Sunday, October 17th 2021.
A candle was lit for each of those killed, four women and a man, as Kongsberg remembered those who were killed. The service was led by the parish priest, Reider Aasbow, with Bishop Myrseth, priest Roar Tønnesen, Deacon Inger-Johanne Frogh, Mosque leader Oussama Tlili and local singers and musicians also taking part. The Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness was also among those who took part in the service.
After the memorial service, church coffee was held at the town hall with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess spending time chatting with the local community.
Just hours after the attack, a letter was sent to the mayor of Kongsberg in which King Harald, on behalf of the Royal Family, expressed both sympathy and horror after the tragic events at Kongsberg.
In the letter, King Harald expresses the following message on behalf of the Royal Family: “We are appalled by the tragic events at Kongsberg last night. We sympathise with the relatives and injured in the grief and despair. And we think of all those affected in Kongsberg who have experienced that their safe local environment suddenly became a dangerous place”.
The attack has created international headlines. During Sunday’s speech in the Vatican, the pope condemned the attack. Also António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations issued the following statement on Twitter: “I am shocked and saddened by the tragic news coming from Norway. My thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones and all the people of Norway at this very difficult moment”.
The man suspected of the attack is currently undergoing psychiatric assessment.
