Shocked Canadians send their condolences to Norway

Jo Sletbak, the deputy head of mission at Norway's embassy in Canada, said Canadians have been sending a lot of messages by email and other means. "There have been people who put flowers and small messages outside the door," he said.

The embassy, on the 13th floor of a building at 150 Metcalfe St. in Ottawa, is putting out a condolence book today and tomorrow, from noon to 2 p.m.

Diplomats at Norway's embassy to Canada have been shocked by the events at home, Mr. Sletbak said, and though they have learned their families are safe, they are concerned that people are still missing. Norway's ambassador to Canada, Else Berit Eikeland, is on a trip back home visiting Norway's west coast.

Mr. Sletbak said there has been a touching reaction of condolence from Canadians, perhaps because there's an affinity between people of the two countries, who seem to share similar values. 'The reason, I think, why Canadians react, is that we see each other as very much the same."