Additional Coverage:
- Taylor Swift’s canceled concert: Officials found explosives, detonators, and a stockpile of chemicals in a 19-year-old’s home (newsbreak.com)
Authorities in Vienna have apprehended three teenagers accused of plotting an attack at a Taylor Swift concert. Due to the seriousness of the threat, the event was canceled, impacting three scheduled performances.
The primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen from Ternitz, located approximately 30 miles from Vienna, intended to execute a suicide attack using knives and explosives, aiming to cause maximum casualties. This information was disclosed by Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, during a press briefing on Thursday. Explosive materials, detonators, and chemicals were found at his residence, where he also appeared to have been learning about bomb construction.
Haijawi-Pirchner revealed the suspect was radicalized by Islamic State influences and had declared his allegiance to the group’s leader. Cooperation with the investigating authorities has been noted, with the suspect fully confessing to the alleged plans.
Franz Ruf, the director-general for public security, mentioned that the plot had been in the works since July and that the main suspect has North Macedonian heritage. During the arrest phase, authorities seized a second youth, aged 17, who has declined to communicate with authorities and where ISIS and Al-Qaeda propaganda was discovered in his home.
The third suspect, a 15-year-old, has undergone police questioning, although less information has been disclosed about his involvement. All three had ties to other individuals who were aware of the planned attack, though no further suspects are being sought after at the moment.
The local community and foreign intelligence played crucial roles in uncovering the plot, prompting the preemptive cancellation of Swift’s shows. Fans from around the globe who had traveled for the event were left stunned but held an informal gathering, singing Swift’s songs in a show of solidarity and resilience.
Barracuda Music, the concert organizer, confirmed the cancellation was a precautionary move aimed at ensuring public safety. Ewald Tatar, head of the organizing team, affirmed the decision’s necessity at a press conference, while also ensuring that ticket refunds would be processed swiftly.
This incident has escalated security concerns at pop concerts across Europe, reminiscent of previous attacks including the tragic bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in 2017.