Trump's 'Sweden terror attack' claim leaves Swedes confused

Donald Trump has sought to clarify his suggestion that a terror-like attack happened in Sweden - saying he was referring to an interview on Fox News.

When Mr Trump suggested there'd been a terror attack in the peaceful European nation on Friday night, it left the whole country scratching their heads - what attack?

At a rally in Florida at the weekend reminiscent of a campaign event, the 45th President told thousands of supporters of the "problems like they never thought possible" in taking in refugees.

He listed a number of real-life events - the attacks in Nice, Brussels, Paris and Germany but also mentioned something which took everyone - including Swedes - by surprise.

"Here's the bottom line. We've got to keep our country safe. You look at what's happening. We've got to keep our country safe. You look at what's happening in Germany, you look at what's happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this. Sweden.

"They took in large numbers. They're having problems like they never thought possible," he told the crowd. 

But Mr Trump has since tweeted he was referring to an interview on Fox News that night with documentary maker Ami Horowitz, who made a film about alleged violence committed by refugees and migrants since the country's open-door policy started in 2013.

News of the attack came as much of Sweden was enjoying the third semi-final of Melodifestivalen, known as Melfest, a Swedish music competition searching for their next Eurovision competitor.

Robin Bengtsson and Owe Thörnqvist made it to the final, despite the latter having technical difficulties.

The Swedes were quick to allay people's fears, saying nothing had happened including former Prime Minister Carl Bildt who tweeted: "Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound."

It also launched a social media hashtag #lastnightinsweden.

Sweden has taken in around 200,000 refugees and migrants in the past few years, more than any other European country per capita.

It has a population of around 9.5 million.

In 2015, the country took in 160,000 people. It led to some pro- and anti-immigration protests and isolated attacks on immigrants. 

There have been no reported terror attacks in Sweden since the country introduced their open-door policy on migration in 2013.

However, in 2010, two bombs detonated in central Stockholm killing the attacker - an Iraq-born Swedish man - and injuring two others; an attack police labelled as terrorism.

Newshub.