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Report: Massacre could have been avoided

OSLO, Norway, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Norwegian authorities could have prevented a fatal bombing in Oslo and possibly stopped a subsequent murderous rampage by Anders Breivik, a commission said.

Seventy-seven people were killed -- eight in the bombing at a government building and 69 others on nearby Utoya Island -- July 22, 2011.

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"The police and security services could and should have done more to avert the crisis," said 22 July Commission leader Alexandra Bech Gjorv, CNN reported Monday.

The independent commission said it took police an "unacceptable" 35 minutes to get to the island, the BBC reported.

The island massacre followed the downtown explosion.

A report from the commission, formed to investigate the two attacks, had six main findings, NRK reported, including:

-- The attack on the government building could have been prevented through implementation of existing security measures.

-- The government's ability to protect the people on Utoya failed and the killer could have been stopped before carrying out his assault on the island.

-- More security and preparedness measures to prevent such attacks should have been implemented.

-- Health and rescue efforts for the injured and their families during the initial phase were handled well.

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-- Government's communication to the public was good. With better working methods and a broader focus Police Security Service could have gotten on the trail of the attacker.

Gjorv said the report showed Norway "pulled together and that it has many positive sides ... many civilian volunteers wanted to help. At the same time, there is a lot to learn and that is important for our society."

Gjorv said the report will "ignite a wider discussion" on Norway's future, The Foreigner said.

"The report is very comprehensive so there will be many news items," she said. "In addition, we hope that this will form a good basis for discussion on how we would like it to be in Norway."

Breivik, who admitted to the killings but said they were justified, is on trial on homicide and terror charges and a verdict is expected by Aug. 24. He claimed "self-defense" and said his actions were justified because he was waging war against multiculturalism and what he termed was a Muslim invasion of Europe.

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