In connection with the alleged plot to carry out a terrorist act during Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna, Austria, three teens, ages 19, 17, and 15, are being investigated as possible suspects. The threat has resulted in the cancellation of the superstar’s performances, which were completely sold out.
According to the authorities, a young person who is suspected of planning a terrorist assault at a Taylor Swift performance in Austria has carried out “concrete preparatory actions” in preparation for the attack.
The residence of the suspect, who was 19 years old at the time, was searched, and during that search, chemicals and “technical devices” were discovered. The suspect had posted an oath of allegiance to the current commander of the Islamic State on an internet account several weeks before, according to the authorities.
It is believed that the adolescent, who is supposed to have North Macedonian roots, is the primary suspect. According to the general director for public security, Frankz Ruf, who spoke with the channel ORF, the juvenile worked closely with an Austrian who was 17 years old.
In accordance with the authorities, the seventeen-year-old had begun working at the concert venue a few days before the cancellation of the competition.
When Taylor Swift was scheduled to perform at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, she was expected to perform for an estimated 170,000 fans who had traveled from all over the world to attend the concerts, which were completely sold out.
Barracuda Music, the organization that is in charge of organizing the concert, stated in an Instagram post on Wednesday that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety” due to the “confirmation of [the] planned terrorist attack.”
Mr. Ruf stated that the 19-year-old is regarded as the primary suspect and that he is working closely with an Austrian who is 17 years old. He also stated that the two boys are part of a small group that the police are investigating.
Following the announcement of the suspected plot on Wednesday evening, they are among the three individuals who have been detained.
According to Reuters, an intelligence official has stated that a 15-year-old Austrian national has also been questioned after being identified as a suspect. However, it is unclear whether or not he is also being imprisoned at this time.
The authorities have determined that there are no further suspects being looked for.
According to a report by the Austrian Press Agency, Mr. Ruf stated that the authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a prospective attack and that the offender, who is 19 years old, is concentrating his attention on the Taylor Swift performances that are taking place all across Vienna.
The suspect was said to have constructed a bomb and stolen chemicals from his place of employment, according to the Kurier newspaper, which cited sources who were familiar with the matter.
The publication stated that the 19-year-old had pondered using knives and machetes in addition to driving a car into the crowd that was supposed to gather outside the stadium. Additionally, the youth had planned to drive a car into the gathering.
On her official Instagram account, which has 283 million followers, Taylor Swift, who is 34 years old, has not yet published a word regarding the cancellations.
Karl Nehammer, the Austrian Chancellor, wrote on X that “the cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organizers is a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria.”
“The situation surrounding the apparently planned terror attack in Vienna was very serious,” he stated in his writing.
On the other hand, he went on to say that “the threat could be recognized early on, tackled, and a tragedy prevented” because of the extensive cooperation that existed between the police and the intelligence agencies of Austria and other countries.
Following the announcement made by Barracuda Music, “all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next ten business days.”
Swift’s official website used the identical text beneath the Vienna dates, which were posted simultaneously.