Austrian Teen Arrested for Planning Suicide Attack at Taylor Swift Concert
A 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested on Wednesday for planning a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The teen, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (IS), confessed to intending to carry out the attack using explosives and knives.
The Ernst Happel Stadium, where Swift was scheduled to perform three sold-out shows, has cancelled the concerts. More than 195,000 people were expected to attend the shows.
Local media reported that the main suspect had stolen chemicals from his former workplace at a metal processing company in Ternitz. He had made progress in building a bomb and planned to drive a car into the crowd gathered outside the stadium.
Security officials found chemical substances and weapons at the suspect’s house, indicating concrete preparatory actions. The head of Austria’s Directorate for Protection of the State and Intelligence stated that the suspect’s aim was to kill himself and a large crowd of people at the concert.
Authorities also arrested a 17-year-old suspect and a 15-year-old suspect in connection with the plot. The 15-year-old has refused to cooperate with authorities.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner praised the foiling of the attack, attributing it to international intelligence cooperation. He emphasized the heightened terrorist threat in Europe and the vulnerability of major concerts to Islamist attackers.
While there is no specific threat to upcoming events in Austria, security measures remain high. Swift’s Vienna concerts were part of her European tour, which will continue in London next week. UK authorities are also reviewing intelligence ahead of the upcoming concerts at Wembley Stadium.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan reassured the public that the city will continue to operate safely, with police working closely with event organizers to ensure security at the concerts.
