Teen planned ‘major’ attack at Vienna concert

Austrian security officials say a 19-year-old man arrested on Wednesday was planning to kill “a large crowd” with a suicide bombing at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.

Officials said the teenager – who had previously pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group – confessed that he “intended to carry out an attack using explosives and a knife”.

Swift’s three sold-out shows at Ernst Happel Stadium was cancelled. More than 195,000 people are expected to attend.

Local media also reported that the 19-year-old suspect, the main suspect among the three, stole chemicals from his former workplace.

The Kurier newspaper quoted sources as saying that he had worked at a metal processing company in his hometown of Ternitz and had made progress in bomb making.

The paper also reported that he had planned to drive into a crowd expected to gather outside the stadium.

Security officials at a press conference on Thursday did not comment on the origin of the chemicals, but public security director Franz Ruf told reporters that chemicals and technical equipment found at the main suspect’s home indicated “specific preparations.”

Weapons were seized at the main suspect’s home and “his intention was to commit suicide and kill a large crowd today or tomorrow at the concert,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria’s State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN).

The teenager posted an online video confessing to the plot, quit his job late last month and told people he had “big plans,” Mr Ruf added.

They also revealed that the main suspect – an Austrian citizen born here but with North Macedonian parents – had recently changed his appearance and “conformed to Islamic State propaganda”, and had consumed and shared Islamist propaganda online.

The second suspect – a 17-year-old Austrian of Turkish or Croatian descent – worked at a company that would “provide services” at the stadium where Swift performed.

The 15-year-old suspect has so far refused to speak to authorities and was “in the area” of the stadium when he was arrested.

Officials added that they are not looking for any other suspects.

Also present at the press conference was Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, who said “a tragedy was averted” and that the attack was prevented with the help of international intelligence because Austrian law does not allow censorship of messaging apps.

“The terrorist threat has increased across Europe and Austria is no exception,” he said, adding that large concerts “are often a favourite target for Islamist attackers”.

Coldplay are scheduled to perform seven concerts in Vienna from 21 August as part of their Spheres world tour.

Mr Haijawi-Pirchner said there was no information suggesting any specific threat to upcoming events in Austria, but security measures remained high.

Swift’s concerts in Vienna are part of the European leg of her Eras Tour, which began in Paris in May.

The tour made stops in several countries including Sweden, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and Poland.

Swift will travel to London to perform five shows at Wembley Stadium next week.

Police Minister Diana Johnson said Scotland Yard would review intelligence ahead of the event at Wembley Stadium.

London Mayor Sadig Khan told Sky News the city would “carry on” and police would work with City Hall and the council to ensure concerts went ahead safely.