Copenhagen explosion: Powerful blast at tax office injures one in Danish capital

Police believe incident was not an accident

The Danish Tax Agency after Tuesday's explosion (EPA)

A powerful explosion shattered windows and blew off the front door of the Danish Tax Agency in Copenhagen, as well as leaving one person slightly injured.

Chief Police Inspector Jorgen Bergen Skov said the explosion took place on Tuesday evening in an area near the Nordhavn S-train station.

Police believe the explosion was not an accident, although Mr Skov said it is too early to know who the perpetrators are. An extensive investigation is under way.

One person standing near the Nordhavn S-train station was lightly injured by debris and received hospital treatment.

Two people were inside the building when the explosion happened but escaped unharmed.

The blast did serious damage to the building’s exterior, shattering windows and bending the door out of shape.

Mr Skov said he believed the perpetrators did not intend to hurt anyone because the building is usually empty at the time of the explosion.

Denmark has some of the highest taxes in the world, with tax revenue accounting for 45 per cent of GDP in 2018. It is consequently known for having one of the world's most generous social security systems along with high-quality education and free healthcare. Most polls show Danes are happy to pay their taxes.

A centre-right coalition that pushed for tax cuts lost out in Denmark’s 2019 elections to parties pledging more public spending.

Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who took office in June, called the explosion an “attack on our sense of security”.

“It was a wonderful, warm summer night and a lot of people were out on the street,” Ms Frederiksen said.

“Those who are behind this put a lot of people in danger. It is a miracle that no one was seriously injured.”