OSLO, -- Norwegian police in Olso published on Tuesday the names of four victims in Friday's bomb explosion in downtown Oslo and shoot-out on the island of Utoeya.
The names were published on the Olso police official website, togerther with information regarding their birthday, origin and the place where they were killed.
According to the website, the names of more victims will be announced in the coming days as the identification work continues.
Their business has been flourishing since 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik killed 76 people last Friday, but florists say profits are the last thing on their mind.
“Yesterday we sold all the roses we had, I even had to go back to the wholesaler to buy more,” said florist Sezar Kayri, whose shop is just across the road from Oslo’s cathedral.
“As we had run out, people started buying small pots of flowers instead.”
In one day, Kayri sold nearly 2,000 roses — costing 39 krone (around US$7) each — and 1,000 candles and had to order 700 extra bouquets of roses for Tuesday.
“What is hard is that we are selling these roses because of a tragic event. It would much easier if it were for a happy occasion,” he added.
At another florist nearby, owner Mariam Paulsen said that people were queuing up to buy roses.
“I have no idea how many I sold. Yesterday I sold everything in an hour, there was a queue outside,” she told AFP.
“It is such a strange situation. We are selling these flowers for such a tragic reason. I wanted to give them away.”
Gates blocking the entrance to the street where Friday’s bomb went off, killing eight people, are also covered in flowers and are being photographed by passers-by.
“The city is covered with roses and people are being so friendly, so warm … It is such a horrible time and yet so special too, full of humanity,” said Paulsen, struggling to hold back tears.
It is the same story all over capital. In the centre, florist Stilee Slipher sold 300 lots of roses on Monday and is counting on the same for Tuesday.
Near Oslo’s port, where the anti-violence rose march took place, Ida Kristiansen also sold some 600 roses for the march, buying anything she could that was left from her wholesaler.
In the streets, many people are carrying roses as they make their way to Oslo’s cathedral.
“These flowers show our sadness. These walls of flowers are beautiful,” said Terese Subachen.
Police are considering charging Behring Breivik with crimes against humanity, which carries prison a sentence of 30 years.
He has been remanded in custody for eight weeks for the attacks that killed 76 people, four of which will be spent in solitary confinement.
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