The main suspect among three Austrian teenagers detained for planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terror group and had chemical substances at his home, authorities said.
Following the announcement of the plot on Wednesday that stunned “Swifty” fans worldwide, the main suspect, a 19-year-old man of North Macedonian descent, has been detained along with two other young men, aged 17 and 15, authorities said.
Austria’s Director General for Public Security Frank Ruf told ORF radio on Thursday that chemical substances and technical equipment indicating “substantial preparatory actions” had been found at the 19-year-old’s home in the town of Ternitz.
They cited internet evidence that he had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State leader.
Swift’s three concerts in Vienna, expected to be attended by 195,000 people, were cancelled.
“It’s very sad and disappointing. But at the end of the day, I think it’s for everyone’s safety,” said Mark del Rosario, who came from the Philippines for the show.
The Kurier newspaper, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported that the suspect had stolen chemicals from his former workplace, a metal processing company in Ternitz, and had made progress in building a bomb.
The newspaper reported that he had planned to drive his car into the crowd gathering outside the stadium, and that he had also considered using knives and blades.
Austria’s interior ministry and intelligence service were not immediately available for comment on the details of the report, and Reuters could not confirm it.
The case highlights the threat to stadium shows, concerts and other large gatherings, and the planned attack was reminiscent of a foiled plot by three Islamic State-linked suspects against Vienna’s gay pride parade last year.
Authorities have revamped their national security intelligence in the wake of an attack by a convicted jihadist in centre of Vienna in 2020 that killed four people, the first such terror attack in the Austrian capital in a generation.
Fans in shock
According to US broadcaster ABC, citing law enforcement and intelligence sources, Austrian authorities had received information from US intelligence agencies about threats to the Swift concert.
It quoted sources as saying that at least one suspect had pledged allegiance to ISIS-K, a revived Islamic State offshoot, on Telegram in June, but that the alleged plot was inspired by Islamic State and not directed by the group’s operatives.
Ruf said there was a constant exchange of information with foreign partners, which, combined with the Austrian authorities’ own intelligence, translated into a specific threat situation.
The shows were scheduled to be part of the American singer-songwriter’s record-breaking Eras Tour, which began on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, US, and is scheduled to conclude on December 8, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada.
Swift, 34, has yet to comment on the event cancellation on her official Instagram account, which has 283 million followers.
The threat terrified his fans, with some begging organisers to postpone the concert rather than cancel it altogether. Promoters have said they will refund ticket money.
“I can’t believe the concert I’ve been waiting 10 years for is now over. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this,” said one fan on social media.
Another added: “As disappointing as it is to not be able to go to this concert, trust me, you don’t want to experience this.”
Some people who had come from abroad for the music festival instead planned to do some sightseeing or hang out with friends.
“We’ll be visiting some museums, maybe meeting some friends that live here,” Del Rosario said. “But also, maybe check out events that Swifties have put on. Being with fellow fans, you know, sharing the same pain and just dancing. Just like I think Taylor Swift would want us to have fun.”