KUALA LUMPUR – The two teenagers who were arrested over an alleged terror plot at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, Austria yesterday had purportedly planned to drive a bomb-filled car into the crowd, aiming to kill “as many people as possible.”
According to the New York Post, the suspects, aged 19 and 17, were reportedly hired by the venue to work security, heightening concerns about the foiled attack.
Austrian authorities apprehended the suspects on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour performances at the Ernst Happel Stadium, which were scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The suspects, believed to be radicalised online by terrorist group Islamic State (IS), were detained in separate operations.
The 19-year-old suspect, an Austrian national with North Macedonian roots, was arrested in Ternitz, Lower Austria. A search of his home revealed chemical substances and technical equipment used in making explosive devices.
Investigators reported that he had sworn allegiance to IS online and confessed to planning a massacre using homemade explosives and machetes.
The second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian with Turkish and Croatian heritage, was arrested near the concert venue. He had recently been employed by a company providing security services at the stadium, raising concerns about potential insider threats.
Authorities also discovered extensive material by IS and al-Qaeda during a raid at the second suspect’s home.
“The suspects actually had very specific and detailed plans…to leave a bloodbath in their wake,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer was quoted as saying.
Franz Ruf, Austria’s Director General for Public Security, said that both suspects displayed noticeable behavioural changes before their arrests, underscoring their commitment to the attack.
Barracuda Music, the concert organiser, announced the cancellation on Instagram, citing “everyone’s safety” as the priority. The company assured fans that ticket refunds would be processed within 10 business days.
The shows were expected to attract approximately 170,000 fans over three days.
Fans expressed their disappointment on social media, lamenting the lost opportunity to see Swift perform live. The cancellations have left Swifties worldwide devastated.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner praised the police and intelligence agencies for their swift action in preventing the attack.
“A tragedy was prevented,” he said.
“The situation was serious, but decisive action ensured public safety.”
The incident draws comparisons to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing at an Ariana Grande concert, where 22 people were killed by a suicide bomber.
The Manchester attack led to criticism of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency MI5 for not preventing the tragedy despite prior warnings. – August 9, 2024
