The Islamic State organization and al-Qaida appeared to be the inspiration for both suspects in the thwarted conspiracy to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, according to Austrian authorities, who also said that bomb-making components were discovered at one of their residences. One of the two admitted to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue,” according to officials.
A day earlier, the conspiracy forced the cancellation of three sold-out concerts, hurting Swifties everywhere. The Ernst Happel Stadium, which was deserted on Thursday morning while media crews shot outside, was the venue for the Eras Tour concerts, which many of them had spent hundreds of euros (dollars) on travel and accommodations in Austria’s priciest capital city.
Event planners defended their choice, estimating that each event would draw up to 65,000 spectators inside the stadium and up to 30,000 outside, where police claimed the suspects intended to launch an attack.
Reporters were informed by officials that the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian, started formulating his plans for an assault in July and, a few weeks ago, posted an oath of fealty to the current commander of the Islamic State group militia online. He intended to use homemade explosives or knives.
Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the chief of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, cited the 19-year-old’s confession and stated, “He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made.”
Haijawi-Pirchner said that he was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels.”
The failed attempt was scheduled for either Thursday or Friday, as stated by Gerhard Karner, Austria’s interior minister. It didn’t seem like each suspect had a ticket for any of the performances.
According to Franz Ruf, the Ministry of the Interior’s Director General for Public Security, during a raid of the primary suspect’s home in Ternitz, south of Vienna, investigators discovered technological equipment and chemical materials that suggested “concrete preparatory acts.”
At the residence of the second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian, authorities also discovered materials related to the Islamic State organization and al-Qaida. He was recently hired by a business that provided services at the stadium where the performances were held, and he was taken into custody by special police officers close to the stadium.
On Tuesday, the two teenagers were taken into custody. In compliance with Austrian privacy laws, neither person’s identity was revealed.
As stated by Interior Minister Karner, no further suspects are being looked for. But police also questioned a 15-year-old who had communication with both of the suspects.
“The circumstances were grave, and they remain grave. However, we can also state that a tragedy was avoided,” he added.
Swifties, the celebrity’s devoted followers, vented their frustration on social media about not being able to attend one of her performances. On the social media site X, some users bemoaned the months of work they had to put into making friendship bracelets and choosing stylish costumes for the show. In one of the priciest cities in Europe, many people spent thousands of euros on lodging, meals, and travel.
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