Taylor Swift canceled three sold-out shows in Austria after officials said they uncovered and prevented a terrorist attack.
Swift was scheduled to play three Eras tour shows in Vienna from Thursday to Saturday at Ernst Happel Stadium. According to the Associated Press, concert organizers expected up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert and up to 30,000 onlookers outside.
The shows were canceled and tickets will be refunded to those who purchased them after Austrian security officials said men plotted an attack outside the stadium to kill as many people as possible.
---> Taylor Swift fans are devastated by canceled Eras Tour shows in Austria over apparent attack plot
Prime suspect confesses
According to a report from NBC News, the prime suspect confessed that he planned to kill himself and a large number of people with knives and explosive devices. The 19-year-old Austrian had downloaded manuals for building bombs. Officials found hydrogen peroxide, homemade explosives, detonators, and detonator cables at his apartment.
According to the AP, officials told reporters that the 19-year-old had started working on his attack plans in July, and just a few weeks ago uploaded to the Internet an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group. He quit his job on July 25 and said at the time that he “still had big plans.”
Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, said that Islamic State terrorist group and Al Qaeda material was found at the home of the second suspect in the plot. The second suspect has been identified as a 17-year-old.
The 17-year-old was employed just a few days ago by a company that was providing services at the venue for the concerts, and was arrested near the stadium, according to reports. He had also broken up with his girlfriend recently.
Police are not looking for other suspects, but a 15-year-old who had been in contact with the other two was questioned by police.
---> Suspects in foiled attack on Taylor Swift shows were inspired by Islamic State group, officials say
US alerts Austrian law enforcement
According to the NBC News report, the United States intelligence community was the first to let Austrian law enforcement know about the potential terror attack.
Teen kills 2 children, injures 11
In July, a teenager used a knife to kill two children and injure 11 other people at a Taylor Swift-themed workshop in northwest England.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested in this case. Police said they were not treating the attack as terror-related, according to the AP. Nine children were wounded and two adults who attempted to protect the children were injured.
The workshop was held on the first week of school vacation for children aged about six to 11.
---> 2 children dead and 11 people injured in stabbing rampage at a dance class in England, police say