S'porean couple illegally flies drone over Norway, risks deportation

A Singaporean couple in Norway may be deported on suspicion of illegally flying a drone over Oslo, the country's capital, according to Norwegian authorities.

Flew drone over Oslo Opera House

According to AFP, the two were arrested on the evening of Sep. 22 after a drone appeared over Oslo's fortress and opera house.

This is despite there being a ban on flying over the centre of the capital.

The incident comes just before the airports in Oslo and Copenhagen shut down for several hours following reports of drone sightings, as reported in BBC.

The police said that the couple, who were in their fifties and sixties, claimed to be tourists who were visiting the country.

Couple may be deported

In an email to AFP, Norwegian prosecutor Andre Kvistad Alme said that since the couple were foreigners, "it [would] be relevant to initiate a case for deportation or expulsion".

"The case is at an early stage but at this point we have no reason to suspect that this incident is connected to the drone sightings at Oslo or Copenhagen airports," Alme said.

Further investigations will be conducted, including interrogations and technical examinations of the drone.

According to AFP, a number of European countries have stepped up vigilance in response to a rise in drone-related incidents.

Moreover, some European states which experienced increased drone activity have accused Russia of conducting hybrid operations against countries that support Ukraine.

Top photo via Canva, Visit Norway