A 16-year-old boy has been convicted and sentenced to two years of youth punishment for igniting a bus fire in Nordre Follo during the summer of the previous year. The incident led to the tragic death of a woman and left several other bystanders injured. The boy acknowledged his guilt in the act but claimed that it was an accidental occurrence rather than an intentional crime.

During the trial, the minor explained his actions, revealing that he had brought a gasoline can with him under the pretense of mowing grass at home. Out of boredom, he ended up playing with a lighter near the gasoline, which ignited the vapors and sparked the fire. He expressed deep remorse for the incident, particularly emphasizing his sorrow for the woman who lost her life, stating that he would have exchanged places with her if he could.

The sentence of youth punishment is considered an alternative to unconditional prison sentences for minors aged 15 to 18 who engage in serious criminal behavior. This approach aims to rehabilitate rather than just punish, reflecting Norway's progressive stance on juvenile justice. Nonetheless, the gravity of the crime raises discussions regarding accountability and the impact of actions taken in moments of recklessness among young people.