Austrian police arrested three men suspected of plotting an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna this week. The planned attacks, which included a horrific plot to ram down fans outside the stadium and detonate a “dirty bomb,” were foiled thanks to US intelligence passed to Europol and Austrian authorities just a day before Swift’s first concert.
The Sun reports three suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian and two 17-year-olds, had allegedly planned a series of attacks, including some at Swift’s sold-out gigs. The 19-year-old is believed to have intended to drive a car into the approximately 20,000 fans expected to gather outside Vienna’s massive Ernst Happel Stadium during the concert. His accomplices reportedly infiltrated the event’s security by getting hired to help with the setup and stewarding of the concert. Authorities also uncovered reports that knives and machetes were part of the attack plans.
The plot came to light just in time, leading to the arrests and the cancellation of Swift’s three scheduled shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Austria’s elite Cobra police unit played a critical role in the arrests, storming the apartment of the 19-year-old suspect in Ternitz after cutting off electricity and gas supplies. During the raid, police reportedly seized chemical and biological substances intended to build a “dirty bomb.”
The unnamed 19-year-old suspect is a native Austrian who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS at the beginning of July. He was detained in the early hours of Wednesday, with a second arrest made in Vienna that afternoon. A third man was later apprehended, with all three suspected of acting as accomplices in the plot. Police are still searching for three other suspects believed to be on the run.
Investigators believe the attack was inspired by ISIS but not directly coordinated by the group. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer described the cancellation of the shows as a “bitter disappointment” but emphasized that a “tragedy [had been] prevented.”
The news has sent shockwaves through Taylor Swift’s team and fans alike. An insider close to Swift’s entourage revealed that the team was in “shock” after learning about the planned attacks. Despite the threats, Swift is reportedly planning to continue her Eras Tour, with upcoming shows in London following the canceled Austrian dates.
The plot is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates. The terror group’s influence has surged this year, with a notable increase in threats, foiled attacks, and successful incidents across Europe and the US. Europol has identified “jihadist terrorism” as the top concern for EU countries, with several high-profile attacks prevented in the past year alone.
