Austria’s intelligence agency foiled a planned suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, leading to the cancellation of three shows scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium.
The domestic intelligence agency (DSN) head, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, revealed that a 19-year-old IS sympathizer was arrested for planning to carry out the attack using explosives and knives.
The shows, part of Swift’s Eras tour, were expected to draw 65,000 attendees per day, with an additional 22,000 fans outside the venue. However, due to the security threat, organizers canceled the concerts, stating, “We have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.”
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged the disappointment for fans but emphasized the seriousness of the situation. He praised the cooperation between police and security agencies, saying, “Thanks to the intensive cooperation… the threat was recognized early, combated, and a tragedy prevented.”
The investigation revealed that the two suspects, both Austrian citizens, became radicalized via the internet. The head of police in Vienna, Gerhard Pürstl, confirmed that the arrested individual aimed to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert.
