The normally tranquil Scandinavian nation of Norway was fitting itself into the mood for a relaxed weekend, when two attacks shocked its people as never before.

An injured woman is helped by a man at the scene of a powerful explosion that rocked central Oslo July 22, 2011. [Agencies]

A bomb exploded in downtown Oslo near government offices, killing 7 people and injuring more than 19 others.

Hours later, a gunman dressed in police uniform opened fire at a youth camp of Norway's ruling political party on Utoeya, an island south of Oslo, killing 85 people. 

The shooting is of "catastrophic dimensions" and many more victims had been discovered, Police director Oystein Maeland told a news conference.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg called on its people to stay together after the attacks.

The attacks would not destroy the Norwegian political system although "we are all shaken by the evil that hit us so brutally and abruptly," he said at a joint press conference Friday night with Justice Minister Knut Storberget.

"We will find the culprit. But the most important thing tonight is to save lives and care," said Stoltenberg.

The prime minister delivered a message to those behind the attacks. "No one shall bomb us into silence," he said.

Justice Minister Storberget has confirmed the suspect for the island shooting is a 32-year-old Norwegian citizen. The police has found explosives on the Utoeya island, but refrained to disclose what type of bombing it was.

The man had been seen outside the government building, which was damaged along with other buildings in central Oslo.

Witnesses said the blast had led to severe damage to nearby government buildings, including Prime Minister Stoltenberg's office.