Taylor Swift concert terror plot 'foiled' as two men arrested for 'ISIS inspired' plan

Two men have been arrested by the authorities for planning an alleged terror assault during a Taylor Swift gig in Vienna. Police arrested a 19-year-old man in his family's home based in Ternitz, close to Vienna in Lower Austria. The authorities also arrested another man, whose name has not been released to the public.

During the raid, police identified chemicals and substances in the home . However, they are unsure if these substances could be made to fashion explosives. The arrests were carried out by Austria's Cobra unit, an arm of justice similar to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team.

The suspects are alleged to have hatched a plan to attack the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna where Swift is due to perform three sold-out shows on her Eras Tour from Thursday until Saturday. Swift has yet to comment on the arrests.

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The 19-year-old is an Austrian national and is said to have recently pledged his allegiance to the Islamic terrorist group ISIS. His commitment is said to have taken place last July.

The man's alleged partner in the would-be terrorist scheme is said to have been radicalized through the internet. Police said that the duo had specific and detailed plans for a terrorist attack. Whether the concerts will now go ahead is unknown.

The Austrian Director General for Public Safety Franz Ruf confirmed the arrests on Wednesday. "The suspected perpetrator was focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. Preparatory actions were detected," Ruf said. “A concrete threat has been averted,” he added.

Austrian publication Kronen Zeitung reported that the gigs go ahead has yet to be confirmed. They also report that possible accomplices in the plot are being investigated.

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The concerts, at the time of reporting, are still set to take place, with security increased for the shows. Some 65,000 people are expected to attend each gig with another 22,000 people outside the venue, said The head of police in Vienna, Gerhard Pürstl.

Special forces will be present in the area around the stadium, Pürstl confirmed, as well as police dogs and anti-terror units. He advised fans to arrive at the venue early to avoid delays in entering the stadium.

The alleged attack plan 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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