EW News Room
Austrian authorities announced Thursday that both suspects in a thwarted plan to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna were influenced by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. Investigators discovered bomb-making materials at one suspect’s residence. One suspect confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”
The plot led to the cancellation of three sold-out concerts, disappointing fans worldwide who had invested significant money in travel and lodging to attend the Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium. The stadium remained empty Thursday morning as media gathered outside.
Concert organizers defended their decision, noting they expected up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert and as many as 30,000 outside, where the suspects intended to attack.
Authorities revealed that the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian, began his attack plans in July and recently pledged allegiance online to the Islamic State group’s leader. He intended to use knives or homemade explosives to carry out the attack.
“He aimed to kill as many people as possible outside the stadium using knives or explosive devices,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.
The planned attack was set for Thursday or Friday, according to Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner. Neither suspect had tickets to the shows.
During a raid of the main suspect’s home in Ternitz, south of Vienna, investigators found chemicals and technical devices indicating “concrete preparatory acts,” said Franz Ruf, Director General for Public Security.
Authorities also discovered Islamic State and al-Qaida materials at the home of the second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian. He had recently been hired by a company providing services at the concert venue and was arrested near the stadium by special police forces.
Both suspects were arrested Tuesday, with their names withheld due to Austrian privacy rules. No additional suspects are being sought, though a 15-year-old in contact with both suspects was questioned by police.
“The situation was serious, but a tragedy was prevented,” said Interior Minister Karner.
Concert organizers, Barracuda Music, announced the cancellation on Instagram late Wednesday, citing government confirmation of a planned attack at the stadium. Swift and her team have not publicly commented on the plot or the canceled shows.
Last month, a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in England left three girls dead and ten others injured. Swift expressed shock over the incident.
European fans have shown great enthusiasm for Swift, with the German town of Gelsenkirchen temporarily renaming itself “Swiftkirchen” for her concerts in mid-July.
Austrian Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler expressed sympathy on social media, acknowledging the disappointment of fans. Chancellor Karl Nehammer highlighted the seriousness of the planned attack but commended the early intervention by police and intelligence agencies, which prevented a tragedy.
Barracuda Music assured fans that all tickets would be refunded within ten business days. The Vienna concerts were expected to draw around 170,000 fans. Swift is set to conclude the European leg of her Eras Tour with performances at London’s Wembley Stadium in mid-August.
In 2017, a suicide bomber attacked an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, killing 22 people and injuring over 100. A 2023 inquiry revealed that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, missed crucial information that could have prevented the attack, the deadliest extremist incident in the UK in recent years.
