Terrorist attack foiled at Taylor Swift concert as two men arrested

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Terrorist attack foiled at Taylor Swift concert as two men arrested
Terrorist attack foiled at Taylor Swift concert as two men arrested

Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna this week were a target for terrorist attacks as two men have been arrested.

Taylor Swift is set to perform this weekend in Vienna, Austria on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.

Authorities have announced that a terrorist attack targeting the Eras Tour event has been foiled as two suspects have allegedly been arrested.

Franz Ruf, The General Director for Public Security, said in a press conference a 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested in Ternitz on Wednesday morning.

Ruf also revealed a second arrest took place in the afternoon, but there are no further details about this second suspect. 

‘According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalised via the internet,’ Ruf allegedly said. Kronen Zeitung, an Austrian outlet, reported that the 19-year-old suspect had pledged allegiance to ISIS last month.

It was added that Vienna was the target for their planned attack, with the 19-year-old suspect having a particular interest in the Eras Tour concert taking place at Ernst Happel Stadium.

‘The suspected perpetrator was focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. Preparatory actions were detected,’ said Ruf in the conference.

‘A concrete threat has been averted,’ he added.

It was reported that chemicals were found during a raid of the home of 19-year-old’s home, which he lived in with his parents and another man. It has yet to be determined by authorities if these chemicals could be used to build a bomb.

The shows in Vienna are each expected to draw 65,000 concertgoers with fans also gathering outside of the stadium to hear the music.

It is estimated an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans will be outside of the stadium during each event.

It has been reported that security checks will ‘massively increased’ to ensure safety of the fans at the concert.

Emma Davis

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