Everything We Know About the Thwarted Taylor Swift Terror Plot
One of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stops in Vienna was allegedly targeted in a terror attack, per Austrian authorities. NBC News reported two men were arrested on August 7 with specific plans for a terror attack. The shows at Ernst Happel Stadium from August 8 to 10 have since been canceled. Below, what we know about the incident.
What happened?
Austrian authorities said on August 7 that they arrested two suspects who had allegedly been planning an attack at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna. ABC News has since reported U.S. intelligence first informed Austria and Europol, the European Union’s law-enforcement group, of the threat.
At the time, Vienna’s police chief, Gerhard Purstl, said “the concrete danger has been minimized” and the shows would go on. The venue had set additional security plans, including K-9 units and bomb squads. However, hours after the news, promoter Barracuda Music canceled the shows. “With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” Barracuda posted on Instagram. Austria’s chancellor, Karl Nehammer, defended the cancellations on X, calling the threats “serious” in German.
Who are the suspects?
Authorities identified one suspect on August 7 as a 19-year-old Austrian man. Austria’s director-general for public safety, Franz Ruf, said the man pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in July. Police found explosives, knives, and chemicals in the home where he lived with his parents, Ruf added on August 8, per the New York Times. Ruf said this suspect confessed to the plan shortly after he was arrested. Officials are unsure if the suspect would have been able to build a bomb in time for the concerts, according to NBC and ABC, though they said he had thorough plans to kill many people.
The second suspect was identified on August 8 as a 17-year-old boy who had started working for an events company that worked with Ernst Happel Stadium. He was arrested at the stadium. Authorities said both suspects had been radicalized online. However, investigators do not believe the Islamic State directed the attack, ABC reported.
Ruf said police also questioned a 15-year-old boy, who corroborated much of the 19-year-old’s confession. He was not arrested, as police do not believe he was actively involved in the plan.
How has Swift responded?
Swift has yet to address the threat or the cancellations. Vulture has reached out to a representative for Swift.
How have fans responded?
After the cancellation news, Austrian Swifties gathered on Vienna’s Cornelia Street (renamed for the shows in honor of Swift’s 2019 song) on August 7. Hundreds of fans traded bracelets and sang Swift songs on the street, as seen in social-media videos.
This happening right now in Cornelia Street. We create our own safe spaces you stupid spider boys can't destroy #WeLoveYouTaylor #ViennaTStheErasTour pic.twitter.com/1TOes0gXcc
— Olivia (@gossipverse) August 8, 2024
What will happen to the rest of the Eras Tour?
Tickets for the Vienna shows will be refunded within ten days, but it’s unclear if the shows will later be rescheduled. Next, Swift is set to return to London for five shows at Wembley Stadium, August 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20. London police said there is “nothing to indicate” a threat at those shows, per the Times.
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