VIENNA — Austrian intelligence authorities have confirmed the discovery of chemical substances at the residence of a 19-year-old suspect allegedly plotting an attack on Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Vienna.
Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s Interior Ministry, disclosed in a Thursday interview with public broadcaster ORF’s Oe1 program that the arrest of the suspect earlier this week led investigators to uncover dangerous chemicals and technical devices at his home. These materials are currently under evaluation.
The suspect had recently uploaded an oath of allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State group militia on social media, raising serious concerns among authorities.
The abrupt cancellation of Swift’s concerts left her fans, known as “Swifties,” devastated. Many had invested substantial amounts of money for travel and accommodations in Vienna for the highly anticipated Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium, scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The stadium remained eerily empty Thursday morning as media outlets gathered outside.
Event organizer Barracuda Music announced the cancellation on its Instagram channel late Wednesday, citing government officials’ confirmation of a planned attack as the reason. The statement emphasized the priority of ensuring everyone’s safety.
Authorities arrested two suspected extremists on Wednesday, with one believed to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area, specifically targeting the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts. The main suspect, arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, was identified as a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who had become radicalized online. A second suspect was detained in Vienna.
Public security director Ruf stated that the authorities were aware of the suspect’s preparatory actions and his focus on the Taylor Swift concerts. He confirmed that the suspect had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. Chemical substances found at the suspect’s residence are being analyzed, though further details were not disclosed.
The cancellation of the concerts came just hours after authorities announced increased security measures for the events. Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl explained that while the immediate danger had been mitigated, an abstract risk still warranted heightened security, including stringent entry checks.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his disappointment over the concert cancellations, acknowledging the significant impact on fans but highlighting the successful prevention of a potential tragedy due to the swift cooperation between local and international intelligence agencies.
Barracuda Music assured fans that all tickets would be refunded within ten business days. The concerts had sold out, with an estimated 170,000 fans expected to attend.
Swift’s fans took to social media to share their heartbreak over the cancellations. Annmarie Timmins, an American journalist who traveled for Thursday’s show, recounted the moment she heard the news while waiting for the subway with her husband. She described the profound sadness among fans, sharing a touching moment when she gave a bracelet to a young girl who appeared even more devastated.
This incident brings back memories of the tragic 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, where a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured over 100. The inquiry into that attack highlighted missed opportunities by Britain’s MI5 to prevent the bombing.
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