Two men have been arrested after plotting to carry out a terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.
According to reports, police foiled their attempt after arresting a 19-year-old man living with his parents in Ternitz, a province in Lower Austria near Vienna. Another unidentified man was arrested as well.
In the raid, police found chemicals and substances in the home but authorities have yet to determine if the substances could be used to build a bomb. Arrests were conducted by Austria's Cobra unit, similar to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team.
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The two men were alleged to have planned to attack the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna during the time that Taylor would be performing three sold-out shows on her Eras Tour from Thursday until Saturday. The star has yet to comment on the alleged attacks.
The 19-year-old, an Austrian national, is alleged to have recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic terrorist group ISIS last July. His alleged partner was also allegedly radicalized through the internet and both had specific and detailed plans concerning a terrorist attack, officials said.
Austrian Director General for Public Safety Franz Ruf said at a news conference Wednesday: "The suspected perpetrator was focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. Preparatory actions were detected."
“A concrete threat has been averted,” he added. According to the Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung, the concerts have yet to be deemed safe, and possible accomplices are being investigated.
The head of police in Vienna, Gerhard Pürstl, estimated that 65,000 people a day were expected to attend the concert with an additional 22,000 fans outside the venue. Pürstl planned for special forces to be deployed in the area as well as police dogs and anti-terror units.
All three shows were canceled on Wednesday night due to security concerns.
This thwarted plot comes seven years after the Manchester Arena bombing where a suicide bombing occurred after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. 22 people were killed along with the assailant and over a thousand people were injured.
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