Norway stabbings: Four people randomly attacked with one in critical condition

Four people have been stabbed and injured in random attacks in Norway, police have confirmed.

The stabbing took place next to a bus stop in the centre of the small town of Nore, around 100 miles from Oslo.

One of the victims was in critical condition, and the incident was still ongoing in Numedal in the south-east of the country.

An eyewitness told NRK News that she saw two ambulances and three ambulance helicopters on the scene.

Another witness describes how several people tried to stop the stabber and they saw a lot of blood.

Fire chief Kai Redalen told NRK that the police apprehended the perpetrator. They were notified of the stabbing at 9am local time and they arrested the person around 10 to 15 minutes later.

A suspect was later apprehended, officials said (via REUTERS)

The event has been defined as an event with "ongoing, life-threatening violence."

A suspect was later apprehended, officials said. "I can confirm we have the offender under control," a police spokesperson said.

Emilie Enger Mehl, the Minister of Justice and Emergency Management said: "My thoughts go to those who have been injured and their loved ones. 

"Such acts of violence are serious and despairing. I want to thank the emergency personnel and the municipality who are facing a demanding time."

Police inspector Odd Skei Kostveit has now confirmed that there is a familial relationship between the perpetrator and one of the victims.

Policemen cordon off the crime scene where three people have been stabbed in the village of Nore (NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

Kostevit said: "This is a family from Syria and the perpetrator and one of the injured are married.

"We are now working to get an overview of the incident and can therefore not provide more information at the current time. The perpetrator is now charged with grievous bodily harm."

Two witnesses told the TV 2 station that the attacks took place near a Joker store close to a church.

Mayor Jan Gaute Bjerke in the Nore and Uvdal municipality told local media that the attack took place near Numedal upper school and that health personnel and police are looking after students who witnessed the stabbing.

"The children were inside the school during the attack," he said.

"I saw the ambulances and planes that came. Some have been stabbed and it is very serious and completely tragic," a store worker near the scene of the attacks told TV 2.