A 19-year-old man has confessed to planning a terror attack at one of Taylor Swift’s shows in Vienna, and authorities have confirmed that a “tragedy was prevented” with his arrest.
All three of the pop star’s shows in Vienna were cancelled earlier this week, after it was revealed that two people had been arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack during the gigs.
The ‘Midnights’ singer was set to play at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium tonight (Thursday, August 8) Friday (9) and Saturday (10), but event organiser Barracuda Music confirmed last night that it had “no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety”.
A 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and a second person in the Austrian capital. It was widely reported that the former had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group, and the public security director at Austria’s interior ministry Franz Ruf confirmed that authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack in Austria.
Now, it has been announced that the teenage suspect has fully confessed to planning a terror attack at one of the shows in Vienna. It has also been reported that he wanted to use knives or self-made explosives outside the Ernst Happel Stadium to kill as many people as possible (via Sky News).
A police search of his house reportedly led to found chemicals, explosives, knives and machete knives being found. Authorities also identified Islamic State and al-Qaida material at the residence according to the outlet.
Head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner took part in a press conference earlier today (August 8), and revealed that the 19-year-old, who is said to have North Macedonian roots, had posted an oath of allegiance to the current leader of Islamic State to an internet account weeks earlier.
He also confirmed that the arrested man was looking to “kill himself and a large crowd at the concert either today or tomorrow”, and was “clearly radicalised in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels”.
He is said to have been working closely with a 17-year-old Austrian, who was also arrested. The latter has Turkish and Croatian roots, and had started a job at the concert venue days before the event was cancelled over the terror threat, according to officials.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed that no others are being sought in connection to the planned attack, however, a 15-year-old who had been in contact with both suspects was also interrogated by police.
“The situation was serious, the situation continues to be serious,” said Karner (via journalist Stephanie Liechtenstein on X). “The threat of Islamic terrorism in Europe is on the rise after the attack by Hamas on Israel. Austria is no exception.”
“I have full understanding for the decision of the concert organiser (to cancel the shows). A tragedy has been prevented.”
The 19-year old man had planned to attack concert goers outside the stadium with both knives and explosives. He quit his job on July 25 and said that he is “planning something big.” He had sworn an oath of allegiance to IS online.
— Stephanie Liechtenstein (@StLiechtenstein) August 8, 2024
A third person was detained and is still being questioned. Currently police are not searching for another suspect but authorities suspect that more people in the network of the 2 arrested suspects were informed about the planned attack and therefore the investigation is ongoing.
— Stephanie Liechtenstein (@StLiechtenstein) August 8, 2024
Following the foiled plot in Austria, Scotland Yard revealed that it is looking to make a decision about the upcoming Taylor Swift shows at Wembley Stadium.
After playing three sold-out nights at the London venue back in June, pop star Swift is set to return to the UK capital later this month for five more shows – featuring support from Raye, Holly Humberstone, Suki Waterhouse and Paramore.
When asked about any risk that may be posed for the shows in London, UK Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson stated that the police are now looking into the Wembley gigs and have yet to make an official decision.
“Clearly the police will be looking at all the intelligence and making decisions,” Johnson told LBC Radio. “They risk assess every event that happens in this country.”
According to authorities, the Vienna shows were expected to bring in roughly 65,000 concertgoers per day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans outside of the area. Prior to the cancellation of the gigs, Ruf had shared that security at the concerts would be increased.
Swift herself has yet to share a comment on the Vienna shows, nor announce any update on the London gigs. NME has reached out to her team for comment.
This is a developing story.
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