Taylor Swift scraps Austria concerts after terror attack threat; officials find IS, al-Qaida material at suspect’s home

Three sold-out Taylor Swift concerts were cancelled on Wednesday after Austrian authorities caught wind of a possible terror attack. Two suspects have been arrested in the ensuing hours with officials finding Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the home of one individual. The Austrian intelligence agency said that a 19-year-old Islamic State sympathiser had planned to execute a deadly suicide attack during the concert in Vienna.

“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert on Thursday or Friday…he was clearly radicalised in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels,” reports quoted officials as saying.

Authorities also arrested the second suspect — a 17-year-old Austrian citizen with Turkish and Croatian roots — near the venue stadium. The duo had reportedly planned to use “explosives and knives” to carry out an attack.

The second suspect was employed a few days ago by a facility company providing services at the venue during the concerts. Investigators said they found extensive material related to the Islamic State group and Al Qaida at his home.

Meanwhile the cancellations of three sold-out concerts has left Swifties (as her fanbase is known) devastated across the globe. Many fans had spent thousands of euros on travel and lodging in the expensive capital city — often travelling from different countries in order to watch Swift perform live. The Ernst Happel Stadium was slated to host the ongoing Eras Tour shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Videos shared on social media showed some becoming aware of the cancellation partway through their travel while others found themselves lodged in Vienna without a clear purpose. Thousands however shrugged off their disappointment to Thursday evening to organise spontaneous sing-alongs on the streets of Vienna. Swifties were seen exchanging tears, hugs and friendship bracelets as they formed emotional gatherings across the city. 

(With inputs from agencies)