2024 Vienna terrorism plot
{{Short description|Failed terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| caption = Planned attack site
| map = {{Clear}}{{OSM Location map
| coord = {{coord|48.2072|16.4210|format=dec}}
| zoom = 13
| width = 300
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| mini-file = Austria Vienna relief location map.jpg
| mini-width = 100
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| label = Planned attack site
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| location = Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna,
Austria
| coordinates = {{coord|48.2072|16.4210|region:AT_type:event|display=inline,title}}
| target = Taylor Swift concert attendees and onlookers
| date = 8–10 August 2024
| time =
| timezone =
| type = {{hlist|Suicide bombing|mass shooting|mass stabbing|vehicle ramming|Terrorism}}
| accused =
| motive = Islamism
| charges =
}}
In August 2024, a terrorism plot assisted by the Islamic State, a jihadist militant group, targeting a concert of the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, the capital city of Austria, was uncovered and neutralised. Three males, aged 17, 18 and 19, were arrested for involvement in the plot that was intended to mass murder concert attendees as well as onlookers in the stadium vicinity.
Three concerts of the Eras Tour, Swift's sixth concert tour, were scheduled to take place from 8–10 August 2024 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion—the penultimate stop of the tour's European leg, in what would have been Swift's first-ever concerts in Austria. The tickets went on sale in July 2023 and all three dates sold out within the first few hours, marking the fastest and largest ticket-sale in Austrian history; over 200,000 people had been expected to attend the shows in the stadium premises. The police detained a suspect of terrorism a day before the first show, stating that the concerts can proceed as planned with additional security measures in place. However, following the arrest of a second suspect and a confirmation by the Government of Austria of the extensive terrorist plan to attack the tour and Vienna at-large, Swift's event partner Barracuda Music cancelled the concerts indefinitely—a decision welcomed by Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Authorities stated that the suspects, who are all teenagers, had been radicalised online and were found to be in possession of explosive chemicals, bladed articles, al-Qaeda-related devices, counterfeit money, and a car equipped with a police siren for organising a suicide attack on the concert. The Austrian Federal Police, EKO Cobra, the United States Intelligence Community, and Europol collaborated to prevent the attack. Nehammer proposed empowering Austrian law enforcement agencies with the power to decrypt private digital communications within judicial purview to combat organised crime. The Eras Tour's final European shows took place in London's Wembley Stadium with additional security and administrative support from the Greater London Authority and Metropolitan Police.
Background
{{Further|The Eras Tour|Impact of the Eras Tour}}
Vienna is the capital, and the most populous city of Austria.{{cite web |date=8 November 2023 |title=Bevölkerung zu Jahres-/Quartalsanfang |trans-title=Population at beginning of year/quarter |url=https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang |accessdate=15 November 2023 |publisher=Statistik Austria |language=de |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607224935/https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=1 April 2022 |title=Bevölkerung zu Jahres-/Quartalsanfang |trans-title=Population at the beginning of the year/quarter |url=http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/menschen_und_gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand_und_veraenderung/bevoelkerung_zu_jahres-_quartalsanfang/023582.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612161754/http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/menschen_und_gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand_und_veraenderung/bevoelkerung_zu_jahres-_quartalsanfang/023582.html |archive-date=12 June 2015 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Statistik Austria}} It is also the fifth-largest city by population in the European Union.{{cite web |title=Population at beginning of year/quarter |url=https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/population-stock/population-at-beginning-of-year/quarter |access-date=2024-03-09 |publisher=Statistics Austria |archive-date=12 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612161754/http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/menschen_und_gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand_und_veraenderung/bevoelkerung_zu_jahres-_quartalsanfang/023582.html |url-status=live }} As part of broader Islamic terrorism in Europe, Vienna saw its first terror attack on 2 November 2020.{{Cite news |last1=Boston |first1=William |last2=Pancevski |first2=Bojan |last3=Bender |first3=Ruth |date=3 November 2020 |title=Vienna Shooting: Attacker Was ISIS Sympathizer; at Least Three Dead |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/three-injured-in-armed-attack-on-vienna-synagogue-11604348986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102214150/https://www.wsj.com/articles/three-injured-in-armed-attack-on-vienna-synagogue-11604348986 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |work=Wall Street Journal |quote=At least one gunman killed four people and seriously injured several others before being shot dead by police in an attack in the Austrian capital, Vienna, that officials called Islamist terrorism.}}{{Cite news |title=Vienna terror attack: 'Islamist' motive suspected in deadly shootings |url=https://www.dw.com/en/vienna-terror-attack-islamist-motive-suspected-in-deadly-shootings/a-55478882 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103071905/https://www.dw.com/en/vienna-terror-attack-islamist-motive-suspected-in-deadly-shootings/a-55478882 |archive-date=3 November 2020 |work=Deutsche Welle |quote=A terror attack in Vienna that left four people dead was carried out by at least one Islamic terrorist, Austria's Interior Ministry said Tuesday.}}
File:Eras Tour - Minneapolis, Minnesota - acoustic set 3.jpg by Taylor Swift was a stadium tour that experienced an unprecedented demand for tickets, with all nights sold out]]
The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift embarked on her sixth concert tour, the Eras Tour, which commenced on 17 March 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, United States,{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift Announces 2023 'Eras Tour' of U.S. Stadiums |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/taylor-swift-announces-2023-tour-1235419454/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204082745/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/taylor-swift-announces-2023-tour-1235419454/ |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |magazine=Variety |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=810134503}} and concluded on 8 December 2024, in Vancouver, Canada,{{cite news |date=November 2, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift to bring Eras Tour to Vancouver for 3 nights in December 2024 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taylor-swift-vancouver-dates-1.7016290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102152941/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taylor-swift-vancouver-dates-1.7016290 |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |access-date=November 2, 2023 |publisher=CBC News}} with over 100 shows across five continents. The Eras Tour quickly became the world's highest-grossing tour of all time within its first 60 shows, becoming the first tour ever to surpass $1 billion in revenue.{{Cite magazine |last=McCluskey |first=Megan |date=2024-03-15 |title=A Year of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, By the Numbers |url=https://time.com/6900208/taylor-swift-eras-tour-anniversary-stats/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809075330/https://time.com/6900208/taylor-swift-eras-tour-anniversary-stats/ |url-status=live }} The tour has had a documented cultural and economic impact worldwide, which has been the subject of widespread media coverage and analysis.{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Sisario |date=August 5, 2023 |title=How Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Conquered the World |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/arts/music/taylor-swift-eras-tour.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805093722/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/arts/music/taylor-swift-eras-tour.html/ |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=August 5, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite web |last=Weatherby |first=Taylor |date=May 8, 2023 |title=5 Reasons Why Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Will Be The Most Legendary Of Her Generation |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/taylor-swift-tour-eras-concert-review-ticketmaster-nashville-rain-show-records-speak-now-taylors-version-announcement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509220353/https://www.grammy.com/_next/data/wamWA3jCekTtdI96fdeIU/music-genres.json |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-format=JSON |accessdate=May 9, 2023 |agency=The Recording Academy}}
Swift announced the European leg of the tour on 20 June 2023, including one concert at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, in what would have been Swift's first-ever show in the country.{{cite magazine |last1=Dailey |first1=Hannah |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Announces International Eras Tour Dates in Europe, Asia & Australia |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-international-eras-tour-dates-europe-asia-australia-1235357763/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803180942/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-international-eras-tour-dates-europe-asia-australia-1235357763/ |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |access-date=June 20, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}} Following popular demand, eight more shows were added to the leg, which saw Vienna receive a second show.{{cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Adds a Sixth Night to Her Run at SoFi Stadium in August |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-sofi-stadium-adds-sixth-night-eras-tour-1235655514/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628021938/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-sofi-stadium-adds-sixth-night-eras-tour-1235655514/ |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |magazine=Variety}} Further demand expanded the European leg once again, with 14 additional shows in continental Europe, including a third consecutive show in Vienna.{{cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=July 5, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Adds 14 Shows, Reveals Paramore Will Open Entire European Tour |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-adds-dates-europe-paramore-opening-eras-tour-1235661814/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705155446/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-adds-dates-europe-paramore-opening-eras-tour-1235661814/ |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |magazine=Variety}}File:Ernst-Happel-Stadion 02.jpg, the venue of Swift's Eras Tour concerts in Vienna which the perpetrators had planned to attack.]]All 170,000 tickets for the three Vienna shows sold out within the first few hours of sale, marking the largest and fastest ticket sale ever in the history of Austria.{{Cite web |last=Hadler |first=Simon |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Rekordvorverkauf von Taylor-Swift-Tickets |url=https://topos.orf.at/taylor-swift-ticketverkauf100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711140229/https://topos.orf.at/taylor-swift-ticketverkauf100 |archive-date=July 11, 2023 |access-date=July 11, 2023 |publisher=ORF |language=de}} Vienna experienced a significant impact on its rental market, with booking rates for the nights of the concerts recorded in February 2024, 44 percent higher than at the same point the previous year. By the end of March 2024, the number of nights booked in the city for the length of the tour's stay in the second week of August had risen by 430 percent compared with the same period in 2023.{{Cite news |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=2024-04-13 |title=European cities hope jet-setting Taylor Swift fans will splash the cash for Eras tour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/13/european-cities-taylor-swift-fans-eras-tour-europe-swfities-tourism |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415003621/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/13/european-cities-taylor-swift-fans-eras-tour-europe-swfities-tourism |url-status=live }}
Arrests
On 7 August 2024, mainstream media reported that the Austrian federal police took a 19-year-old male, a dual citizen of Austria and North Macedonia, into custody for allegedly plotting a terror attack on Swift's concerts in Vienna.{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift shows in Vienna canceled after 2 arrested for planning ISIS-inspired terror plot |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/2-arrested-planning-terror-plot-taylor-swift-show/story?id=112647175 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809102102/https://abcnews.go.com/International/2-arrested-planning-terror-plot-taylor-swift-show/story?id=112647175 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=This is the Albanian from Macedonia who planned the terrorist attack on Swift's concert |url=https://www.alfapress.al/english/aktualitet/ky-eshte-shqiptari-nga-maqedonia-qe-planifikoi-in-terrorist-ne-ko-i119469#:~:text=Austrian%20police%20have%20revealed%20the,big%20plans%20for%20the%20future. |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=alfapress.al |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822235531/https://www.alfapress.al/english/aktualitet/ky-eshte-shqiptari-nga-maqedonia-qe-planifikoi-in-terrorist-ne-ko-i119469#:~:text=Austrian%20police%20have%20revealed%20the,big%20plans%20for%20the%20future. |url-status=live }} His name has been identified as Beran A. (Aliji, Aliyi), according to The Guardian,{{Cite news |last=Connolly |first=Kate |date=2024-08-09 |title=Third teenager arrested over foiled Taylor Swift concert attack in Vienna |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/09/teenager-arrested-foiled-taylor-swift-concert-attack-vienna |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095307/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/09/teenager-arrested-foiled-taylor-swift-concert-attack-vienna |url-status=live }} even though no names were officially released in line with Austrian privacy rules.{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2024 |title=3rd person arrested over foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift show in Vienna |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/taylor-swift-terror-plot-third-arrest-1.7289726 |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=CBC News |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810071636/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/taylor-swift-terror-plot-third-arrest-1.7289726 |url-status=live }} He was previously known to the authorities as a suspect of terrorism and was arrested following a large police operation in Ternitz, Lower Austria, where his house is located, with over 100 nearby residents evacuated temporarily. The operation crew had told the civilians that there was a gas leak. Austrian public security director-general Franz Ruf stated that a bomb squad found chemical substances and technical devices at the residence, which were sent for forensic examination. However, Ruf assured that the shows would take place as scheduled, with additional security measures in place to deter remaining threats, as over 65,000 fans are expected to attend each day and 20,000 more outside the venue. The suspect's parents, originated from Gostivar, had been away at the time of the raid.
A second suspect, a 17-year-old male dual citizen of Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina with Turkish and Croatian descents, who was in contact with the 19-year-old,{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title=Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts cancelled after police foil terror plot |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/07/two-held-on-suspicion-of-plotting-attack-on-taylor-swift-concert-in-vienna |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Euronews |language=en |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808090440/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/07/two-held-on-suspicion-of-plotting-attack-on-taylor-swift-concert-in-vienna |url-status=live }} was arrested on 7 August as well, later in the afternoon. EKO Cobra, the federal tactical unit of Austria, assisted with the arrests of the suspects.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled after Austrian police say foiled terrorist plot targeted shows |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taylor-swift-concert-terror-plot-austria-foiled-2-men-arrested-shows-w-rcna165591 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809112418/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taylor-swift-concert-terror-plot-austria-foiled-2-men-arrested-shows-w-rcna165591 |url-status=live }} Police stated that the suspects were radicalized on the Internet and had pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State (IS), a jihadist militant Islamist group, in July 2024. Vienna was a target of their planned attack, with "a particular focus" on Swift's concerts.{{Cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Bethany |last2=Cooney |first2=Christy |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Vienna concerts cancelled after attack threat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce31zxqypxpo |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=BBC.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809152730/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce31zxqypxpo |url-status=live }} The second suspect was hired by a facility company providing security services at the stadium during Swift's concerts.
A 15-year-old Turkish citizen, who had been asked by the main suspect about ignition mechanisms and was found near the stadium, was placed under police custody for intensive questioning,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift concert terror plot suspect sought to kill self and 'as many people as possible,' officials say |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/chemical-substances-technical-devices-found-home-austrian-terror/story?id=112669660 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=ABC News |language= |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809102102/https://abcnews.go.com/International/chemical-substances-technical-devices-found-home-austrian-terror/story?id=112669660 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Vicky |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Vienna gig: Teen planned 'explosives and knives' attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k37dm9e0eo |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809190640/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k37dm9e0eo |url-status=live }} but not arrested; he has since been released from custody but will be treated as a witness,{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=2024-08-09 |title=3rd Teenager Arrested in Planned Attack on Taylor Swift's Vienna Shows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/world/europe/taylor-swift-concerts-vienna-attack-arrests.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809193356/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/world/europe/taylor-swift-concerts-vienna-attack-arrests.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Alberti |first=Mia |date=2024-08-09 |title=Iraqi teen arrested in Vienna after Taylor Swift terror attack plot thwarted |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/09/europe/taylor-swift-plot-vienna-iraqi-detained-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809194122/https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/09/europe/taylor-swift-plot-vienna-iraqi-detained-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} while the first two suspects have been transferred to a prison in Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, held in a pre-trial detention with a state prosecutor appointed for each of them. Police stated that the 15-year-old was not part of the plot but that he knew many of its details, helping corroborate "some key elements of the main suspect's confession."
Despite officials saying that they were not looking for any more suspects, Gerhard Karner, the minister of the interior of Austria, stated on 9 August that an 18-year-old Iraqi male has been detained as the third suspect in the terror plot.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=3rd person detained over foiled attack on cancelled Vienna Taylor Swift shows, official says - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor-swift-vienna-3rd-person-detained-over-foiled-attack/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=CBC News |language=en-US |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809095311/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor-swift-vienna-3rd-person-detained-over-foiled-attack/ |url-status=live }} According to the Kronen Zeitung, the third suspect has been living in Austria as a refugee.{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift concert plot: What we know about the suspects |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-we-know-about-taylor-swift-concert-plot-suspects-2024-08-08/ |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=Reuters}} Karner also announced that he had initiated the process of revoking the 18-year-old's residence permit under a special provision "designed to deal with dangerous refugees or immigrants" as he had also pledged himself to the IS.
Investigation
The articles discovered at the 19-year-old, first suspect's residence were subsequently revealed to be precursors for explosives, blank ammunition, timers, machetes, steroids, and {{Currency|21,000|EUR}} in counterfeit cash,{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=2024-08-08 |title=2 Youths Planned Attacks on Taylor Swift's Vienna Concerts, Authorities Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/world/europe/taylor-swift-concert-terror-plot-vienna.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809192043/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/world/europe/taylor-swift-concert-terror-plot-vienna.html |url-status=live }} as well as al-Qaeda-related items and propaganda{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift scraps Austria concerts after terror attack threat; officials find IS, al-Qaida material at suspect's home |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |website=Mint |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095259/https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |url-status=live }} that indicated "concrete preparatory acts" in the "advanced stages". The police also stated that he "had successfully fabricated bombs using instructions found online". Upon further enquiry, it was determined that the first suspect "had planned to execute a deadly suicide attack during the concert", aiming to kill a large number of people. He had also "drastically changed" his physical appearance since July. One of the suspect's neighbors told Puls 4 that he mostly "kept to himself" and had grown a "Taliban" beard recently. Christian Samwald, mayor of Ternitz, said "there had been shock and dismay in Ternitz about the news because there had been no prior indication that the youth harbored any radical inclinations."{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=Town at center of teenage Taylor Swift plot stunned by online radicalization |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-814061 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811070625/https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-814061 |url-status=live }}
According to United States officials, US Intelligence had uncovered the threat to Swift's concerts in Vienna when the 19-year-old uploaded an "oath of allegiance" to the Islamic State on the messaging app Telegram in early July, whilst participating in IS-K Telegram groups. US Intelligence then passed the information to the Europol and the Austrian police, cautioning of the suspects' plans for a terrorist attack. Austrian authorities then planned the police operation in Ternitz. US investigators stated that the plot was only assisted but not directly operated by the IS, and that the Austrian law enforcement is looking for an additional person or people who may have some knowledge of the plans. The police later stated that "the pair had aspirational plans for attacking Vienna's major events sites and specifically had homed in on this coming weekend's Swift concerts", and planned to use explosives and knives to carry it out. The Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that it has received a request from Austrian investigators to look into the 19-year-old's background.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=Austria asks Skopje to help investigating on Swift attack - Macedonia - Ansa.it |url=https://www.ansa.it/nuova_europa/en/news/countries/macedonia/2024/08/09/austria-asks-skopje-to-help-investigating-on-swift-attack_c2857afd-21cf-4bea-8bae-e5c8cfa98100.html |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095315/https://www.ansa.it/nuova_europa/en/news/countries/macedonia/2024/08/09/austria-asks-skopje-to-help-investigating-on-swift-attack_c2857afd-21cf-4bea-8bae-e5c8cfa98100.html |url-status=live }}
On 8 August, it was reported that the 19-year-old, who is regarded as the "main suspect", fully confessed to attack plans during a police interrogation, according to Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria's Directorate of State Security and Intelligence. Most of the plans and preparations were made at the main suspect's home. Haijawi-Pirchner stated that the 19-year-old had resigned his job at a steelworks factory, also in Ternitz, telling colleagues he "still had big plans" and that he confessed he had sought to kill "as many people as possible" by driving a car into the crowds before using knives, machetes and the homemade explosive devices. Kurier reported that he had stolen chemicals from the factory in order to build the bombs. His accomplice, the 17-year-old, had also broken up with his girlfriend the preceding week, which investigators believe was done in preparation for the attack. As per an Austria Press Agency report on 11 August, the 19-year-old then denied involvement in the plot and claimed he is not a supporter of the IS; his lawyer argued that her client simply wanted to be "cool", wanted to use explosives "out in a forest but never intended to kill people" and "ordered [knives and other weapons] on Amazon because he liked them."{{Cite web |date=2024-08-11 |title=Main suspect in Taylor Swift concert plot denies involvement |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/main-suspect-taylor-swift-concert-135615968.html |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812031544/https://www.yahoo.com/news/main-suspect-taylor-swift-concert-135615968.html |url-status=live }}
As of 10 August, the investigation continues to scrutinise the "networks" of the suspects. The Ministry of the Interior claimed in a statement that investigators have turned to "evaluating physical and electronic evidence",{{Cite news |date=2024-08-09 |title=Third suspect detained amid investigation into foiled terror attack at Taylor Swift concert |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-09/third-suspect-arrested-after-taylor-swift-concert-attack-foiled/104208180 |access-date=2024-08-10 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810072155/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-09/third-suspect-arrested-after-taylor-swift-concert-attack-foiled/104208180 |url-status=live }} and will interrogate more individuals and search additional locations.{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Vienna concert attack: Third teenager arrested after terror plot foiled |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/taylor-swift-vienna-concert-attack-third-teenager-arrested-after-terror-plot-foiled/ar-AA1oxxdO?ocid=BingNewsVerp |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Times of India |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810210444/https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/taylor-swift-vienna-concert-attack-third-teenager-arrested-after-terror-plot-foiled/ar-AA1oxxdO?ocid=BingNewsVerp |url-status=live }} On 11 August, Karl Nehammer, the chancellor of Austria since 2021, claimed that "more ISIS supporters" have been identified.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-11 |title=Austria chancellor urges more comms monitoring after Taylor Swift plot |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/austria-chancellor-urges-more-comms-081940222.html |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}
On 28 August 2024, David S. Cohen stated at the Intelligence Summit, Washington D.C., that the information used by Austrian police on 7 August to disrupt the plot was provided to them by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): "They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans [...] The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do." Cohen did not disclose how the CIA obtained the information about the planned attack.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2024-08-28 |title=CIA Official Says Thwarted Terrorist Plot At Taylor Swift Concert Was Intended To Kill "Tens Of Thousands Of People" Including Americans – Reports |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/taylor-swift-terrorist-plot-thwarted-cia-1236071903/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829060029/https://deadline.com/2024/08/taylor-swift-terrorist-plot-thwarted-cia-1236071903/ |url-status=live }}
Impact, reaction, and aftermath
File:2019 Karl Nehammer (46705692804) (cropped).jpg considered the plot a tragedy averted as the perpetrators wanted to leave a "trail of blood" in Vienna.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Suspects Plotting Taylor Swift Concert Attack Wanted "Trail Of Blood" By Detonating Explosives Inside Venue & Running Over Fans Outside Stadium |url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/suspects-plotting-taylor-swift-concert-233149409.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-NZ |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809200005/https://nz.news.yahoo.com/suspects-plotting-taylor-swift-concert-233149409.html |url-status=live }} He claimed that "the threat of Islamic terrorism in Europe is on the rise."{{Cite web |last=Molloy |first=Laura |date=2024-08-11 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' film showing on Austrian TV for free after Vienna show cancellation |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-film-showing-on-austrian-tv-for-free-after-vienna-show-cancellation-3782666 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811090643/https://www.nme.com/news/music/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-film-showing-on-austrian-tv-for-free-after-vienna-show-cancellation-3782666 |url-status=live }}]]
Following the arrest of the second suspect, the event organiser of Swift's concerts in Vienna, Barracuda Music, announced that all three shows would be cancelled with tickets refunded, after receiving confirmation from the government of Austria of the elaborate terrorist plan.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title=Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack |url=https://apnews.com/article/austria-extremism-arrests-security-taylor-swift-7ece0b264f6e4152b8214c9fba8c425b |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807191055/https://apnews.com/article/austria-extremism-arrests-security-taylor-swift-7ece0b264f6e4152b8214c9fba8c425b |url-status=live }} The organiser stated, "We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety", with all tickets "automatically refunded" within the next 10 days. In a subsequent press conference, Barracuda pointed out that Swift's management had played a significant part in the decision, and that a key moment was when they were informed that the 17-year-old suspect would have worked on site in the stadium before and during the concerts.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Nach Swift-Absage meldet sich Veranstalter: "Konzertabsage war notwendig" |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000231748/nach-swift-absage-meldet-sich-veranstalter-konzertabsage-war-notwendig |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Der Standard |language=de |archive-date=13 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813131601/https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000231748/nach-swift-absage-meldet-sich-veranstalter-konzertabsage-war-notwendig |url-status=live }} It marked the first time Swift had cancelled a concert since 2014, when her Bangkok show was called off due to the military coup in Thailand.{{Cite news |date=August 10, 2024 |title=Iraqi teen detained in Vienna after Taylor Swift attack plot foiled |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2844541/iraqi-teen-detained-in-vienna-after-taylor-swift-attack-plot-foiled |access-date=2024-08-10 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810075233/https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/2844541/iraqi-teen-detained-in-vienna-after-taylor-swift-attack-plot-foiled |url-status=live }}
Nehammer, the head of government of Austria, released a statement: "The cancelation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organizers is a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria. The situation surrounding the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious. Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN with foreign services, the threat was recognized early, combated and a tragedy prevented. Many thanks to the emergency services who are currently investigating at full speed."{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=2024-08-08 |title=Austrian Chancellor Calls Taylor Swift Concert Cancelation 'a Bitter Disappointment' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-vienna-concert-cancelation-austrian-chancellor-statement-1235076166/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809140753/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-vienna-concert-cancelation-austrian-chancellor-statement-1235076166/ |url-status=live }} He also praised Swift and her team for acting "responsibly" in agreeing to cancel the concerts,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/taylor-swift-vienna-bomb-terror-threat-cancelled-b2593866.html |title=Austrian chancellor says Taylor Swift concert plotters had 'explosives' ready |date=2024-08-09 |language=en |access-date=2024-08-09 |via=The Independent |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095307/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/taylor-swift-vienna-bomb-terror-threat-cancelled-b2593866.html |url-status=live }} and defended the decision by highlighting that "the arrests had taken place too close to the scheduled concerts to allow them to go ahead." In a different briefing, Nehammer asserted that "the attack was foiled with the help of international intelligence as Austrian law does not allow censorship of messenger applications."
Close relatives of the main suspect's family in Gostivar, North Macedonia, opined "it looks someone has manipulated him because we are not such a family".
The national security spokesperson of the White House, John Kirby, spoke to reporters on 10 August regarding the role of the US in providing intelligence to Austria: "The United States has an enduring focus on our counterterrorism mission. We work closely with partners all over the world to monitor and disrupt threats. And so as part of that work, the United States did share information with Austrian partners to enable the disruption of a threat to Taylor Swift's concerts there in Vienna."{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=3rd person in custody over foiled plot targeting now-canceled Taylor Swift shows in Vienna |url=https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-feff9108d0a14d9941c4bc416c0eb05f |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810073137/https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-feff9108d0a14d9941c4bc416c0eb05f |url-status=live }} Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the US ambassador to Austria, expressed sympathy with Swifties in a post on Twitter.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Austrian authorities detail suspects' planned terror attacks on Vienna Taylor Swift concerts |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/08/08/taylor-swift-eras-tour-vienna-austria-concerts-canceled-due-to-terrorist-plot/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Deseret News |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810080053/https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/08/08/taylor-swift-eras-tour-vienna-austria-concerts-canceled-due-to-terrorist-plot/ |url-status=live }}
Bence Rétvári, parliamentary state secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Interior, blamed pro-migration politicians and opined that incidents such as this plot and the Southport stabbing constitute a "dire warning" for Europe. He added that migration has compromised safety and security in the continent, and demanded action from the European Commission.{{Cite web |last=Leitner |first=Attila |date=2024-08-10 |title=Retvari: Southport murders, Vienna terrorism threat 'dire warning' for Europe |url=https://www.budapesttimes.hu/world/retvari-southport-murders-vienna-terrorism-threat-dire-warning-for-europe/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=The Budapest Times |language=en-US |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811090214/https://www.budapesttimes.hu/world/retvari-southport-murders-vienna-terrorism-threat-dire-warning-for-europe/ |url-status=live }} Some American journalists opined that the US requires a more robust counter-terrorism policy and considered the plot and other contemporaneous attacks a direct result of president Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and other sensitive areas.{{Cite web |last=Bolton |first=John R. |date=2024-08-11 |title=Biden-Harris failure in Afghanistan is making world a more dangerous place, even at Taylor Swift concerts |url=https://nypost.com/2024/08/11/opinion/biden-harris-failure-in-afghanistan-is-making-world-a-more-dangerous-place-even-at-taylor-swift-concerts/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=The New York Post |language=en-US |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812025317/https://nypost.com/2024/08/11/opinion/biden-harris-failure-in-afghanistan-is-making-world-a-more-dangerous-place-even-at-taylor-swift-concerts/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=G. Jones |first=Seth |date=August 11, 2024 |title=The ISIS Plot Against Taylor Swift |url=https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-isis-plot-against-taylor-swift-sign-of-rising-national-security-threat-cea89db3 |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=12 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812025317/https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-isis-plot-against-taylor-swift-sign-of-rising-national-security-threat-cea89db3 |url-status=live }}
On 22 August, Swift addressed the plot for the first time publicly. She lamented the cancelled shows, asserting it is better to mourn shows than lost lives, and thanked authorities for their efforts in thwarting the attack. She also clarified that she had not commented earlier to ensure her fans' safety.{{Cite magazine |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift Says Canceling Eras Tour Shows in Vienna Due to Terrorist Plot Was 'Devastating' and 'Filled Me With a New Sense of Fear' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/taylor-swift-canceled-eras-tour-shows-vienna-devastating-filled-with-fear-1236099504/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=23 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823213753/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/taylor-swift-canceled-eras-tour-shows-vienna-devastating-filled-with-fear-1236099504/ |url-status=live }}
= Fans =
File:Swifties.jpg in Vienna streets]]
Media reported that the news of cancelled Vienna shows "devastated" Swift's fans, as many of them "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." Videos shared on social media showed some fans learning the cancellation partway through their travel while others were already lodged in Vienna.{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift scraps Austria concerts after terror attack threat; officials find IS, al-Qaida material at suspect's home |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |website=Mint |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809022358/https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |url-status=live }}
On 8 August, thousands of Swift's fans who had travelled to Vienna for the concerts gathered in public squares to sing and celebrate Swift's music as an alternative to the cancelled shows. They organised spontaneous sing-alongs on the streets of Vienna, and were seen exchanging "tears, hugs and friendship bracelets as they formed gatherings across the city."{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift scraps Austria concerts after terror attack threat; officials find IS, al-Qaida material at suspect's home |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |access-date=August 8, 2024 |website=Mint |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809022358/https://www.livemint.com/news/world/taylor-swift-scraps-austria-concerts-after-terror-attack-threat-officials-find-is-al-qaida-material-at-suspects-home-11723112462946.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=2024-08-08 |title=Taylor Swift Fans Gather in the Streets of Vienna to Sing Her Songs After Eras Show Cancellations |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fans-sing-vienna-streets-eras-tour-shows-canceled-1235749372/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809101125/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-fans-sing-vienna-streets-eras-tour-shows-canceled-1235749372/ |url-status=live }} Some fans congregated in churches of Vienna as well.{{Cite web |last=Pisani |first=Joseph |date=August 9, 2024 |title='I'd Rather Be Sad Than Dead': Heartbroken Swifties Commiserate in Vienna After Canceled Concerts |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/swifties-try-to-make-the-best-of-their-vienna-trip-after-terror-plot-7647c912 |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809193355/https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/swifties-try-to-make-the-best-of-their-vienna-trip-after-terror-plot-7647c912 |url-status=live }} The Lutheran City Church of Vienna offered fans a "place to stay and listen to Swift's music".{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Austrian authorities detail suspects' planned terror attacks on Vienna Taylor Swift concerts |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/08/08/taylor-swift-eras-tour-vienna-austria-concerts-canceled-due-to-terrorist-plot/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Deseret News |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810080053/https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/08/08/taylor-swift-eras-tour-vienna-austria-concerts-canceled-due-to-terrorist-plot/ |url-status=live }} Hundreds of fans gathered on Corneliusgasse, a street 5 kilometres from the Ernst-Happel-Stadion whose name resembles "Cornelia Street", a song from Swift's 2019 album Lover.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=3rd person in custody over foiled plot targeting now-canceled Taylor Swift shows in Vienna |url=https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-feff9108d0a14d9941c4bc416c0eb05f |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810073137/https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-feff9108d0a14d9941c4bc416c0eb05f |url-status=live }}
With permission from Swift and Disney+, Austrian public broadcaster ORF aired the tour's concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, on its flagship channel ORF 1 at 21:45 CET on 10 August, for free.{{Cite web |last=red |first=burgenland ORF at |date=2024-08-10 |title=Nach Konzertabsage: "Eras Tour" auf ORF1 |url=https://burgenland.orf.at/magazin/stories/3268603/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=burgenland.ORF.at - Burgenland Magazin |language=de |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810112129/https://burgenland.orf.at/magazin/stories/3268603/ |url-status=live }} Disney+ also offered a free 7-day trial subscription "for anyone who missed the broadcast in Austria and Germany" until 12 August.
= Security =
Swift concluded the European leg of the Eras Tour with five shows in London between 15 and 20 August 2024. Mayor Sadiq Khan said London would "carry on" with hosting Swift's forthcoming concerts at the Wembley Stadium, as the city has "a huge amount of experience in policing these events, we're never complacent, many lessons were learned after the awful Manchester Arena attack." The Metropolitan Police stated, "there is nothing to indicate that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have an impact on upcoming events here in London. As always, we will continue to keep any new information under careful review."{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2024-08-08 |title=Taylor Swift's London Shows Not Impacted by Vienna Threats, Officials Say |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-london-shows-not-impacted-vienna-threats-1235749664/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The UK Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Diana Johnson, spoke to LBC, promising that the Scotland Yard will look at "all the intelligence" ahead of Swift's London concerts.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Khan: London will 'carry on' after suspected plot at Swift concerts in Vienna |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/sadiq-khan-vienna-diana-johnson-london-city-hall-b2593278.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |date=2024-08-08 |title=Police to "make decisions" about Taylor Swift's London shows following Vienna terror threat |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/police-to-make-decisions-about-taylor-swifts-london-shows-following-vienna-terror-threat-3782048 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811091116/https://www.nme.com/news/music/police-to-make-decisions-about-taylor-swifts-london-shows-following-vienna-terror-threat-3782048 |url-status=live }}
It was reported that Swift was in a "lockdown" ahead of her London shows, having been given strict "presidential level" security to safeguard herself, her dancers and her touring crew.{{Cite web |last1=Johns |first1=Merry |last2=Bakker |first2=Tiffany |last3=McCabe |first3=Kathy |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift 'under lockdown' after foiled terror plot ahead of London shows |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/taylor-swift-concert-terror-plot-in-austria-foiled/news-story/99442629d3c91bb7537ec8262e072caf?amp |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} The administration of Wembley Stadium, in collaboration with the police, a safety advisory group and other relevant authorities, imposed stricter safety protocols than the usual.{{Cite web |last=Siwak |first=Miranda |date=2024-08-11 |title=Wembley Stadium's Safety Plans for Taylor Swift Concerts After Vienna |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/wembley-stadiums-safety-plans-for-taylor-swift-concerts-after-vienna/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}} It banned gathering outside the stadium, including tailgating, "to support with the safe entry and exit of everyone within the stadium.{{Cite news |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=2024-08-13 |title=Wembley Stadium bans Taylor Swift fans without tickets as security kept tight |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/aug/13/wembley-stadium-taylor-swift-fans-without-tickets-security-tightened |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095314/https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/aug/13/wembley-stadium-taylor-swift-fans-without-tickets-security-tightened |url-status=live }} Toronto, Canada, is the penultimate stop of the Eras Tour. Olivia Chow, the mayor of Toronto, promised that "comprehensive security will be in place" for the duration of Swift's concerts.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Taylor Swift in Toronto: Mayor confident in city's security following foiled attack in Vienna |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/taylor-swift-in-toronto-mayor-confident-in-city-s-security-following-foiled-attack-in-vienna-1.6993533 |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=CTV Toronto |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810081433/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/taylor-swift-in-toronto-mayor-confident-in-city-s-security-following-foiled-attack-in-vienna-1.6993533 |url-status=live }}
Nehammer, in an interview for Bild, opined that it has become mandatory for Austrian agencies to undergo technical upgrades "so they're on an equal footing with terrorists, with organised crime, so we can combat them," and in order to do that, "it's vital that messenger services like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram can be decrypted for security authorities, under judicial oversight, while upholding the rule of law". At the time, Bild noted Nehammer was seeking re-election in the 2024 Austrian legislative election.
Organisers of the Sziget Festival, Hungary's largest music festival, increased security readiness for the 2024 edition of the event as a precautionary measure. The festival, which took place from 7 to 12 August 2024 on the Óbuda island in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was reported to have been monitored by thousands of security staff—including Hungarian police officers and counter-terrorism experts—as well as up to 50 security cameras.{{Cite web |last=Magyar |first=Adam |date=2024-08-10 |title=Hungary's largest music festival on high alert |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/10/sziget-festival-organisers-raise-security-alert-following-foiled-vienna-terrorist-attacks |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Euronews |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811092255/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/10/sziget-festival-organisers-raise-security-alert-following-foiled-vienna-terrorist-attacks |url-status=live }}
= Economy =
Ticket prices for the Eras Tour's London shows skyrocketed by nearly 2,000 percent as fans rushed to "secure seats for the highly-anticipated concerts" on secondary platforms like Viagogo, Vivid Seats, StubHub, and Gigsberg.{{Cite web |last=Lai |first=Kaye |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' London Shows Ticket Prices Soar Nearly 2,000% After Vienna Terror Plot |url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/105129/20240811/taylor-swift-eras-tour-london-show-ticket-prices-soar.htm |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=Music Times |archive-date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814095828/https://www.musictimes.com/articles/105129/20240811/taylor-swift-eras-tour-london-show-ticket-prices-soar.htm |url-status=live }} CBS 58 reported that the cancelled Eras Tour stops in Vienna resulted in a significant economic loss for the city. Austrian Airlines, the country's leading airline, said it had received numerous enquiries about refunds from disappointed Swifties who booked flights to Vienna for the now-cancelled concerts and that an exception was being applied to its usual refund policy.{{Cite web |title=Swifties find solace in song and solidarity after terror threat leads to canceled shows in Vienna |url=https://cbs58.com/news/swifties-find-solace-in-song-and-solidarity-after-terror-threat-leads-to-canceled-shows-in-vienna |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=CBS58 |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810074728/https://cbs58.com/news/swifties-find-solace-in-song-and-solidarity-after-terror-threat-leads-to-canceled-shows-in-vienna |url-status=live }}
Multiple businesses in Vienna, including eateries, pubs and beaches, provided respite, offers and deals to Swifties to "make up" for the cancelled concerts. Vienna's museums, such as the Albertina, Mozart's house, the House of Music, KunstHausWien, the Jewish Museum, and the Museum of Applied Arts, waived admission fees and gave free passes to ticket-holding Swifties.{{Cite web |last=Tisdale |first=Jennifer |date=2024-08-09 |title=Businesses Are Throwing Deals at Swifties to Make up for the Vienna Concert Cancelations |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/taylor-swift-vienna-deals |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Distractify |language=en-US |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811072511/https://www.distractify.com/p/taylor-swift-vienna-deals |url-status=live }} Several Swifties were invited to the Swarovski Kristallwelten, where they each received a free necklace from the brand with a variety of crystal charms, after showing their cancelled tickets.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-15 |title=Watch: Taylor Swift fans get free Swarovski necklace after cancellation of Vienna shows, video goes viral |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/taylor-swift-fans-get-free-swarovski-necklace-after-cancellation-of-vienna-shows-video-viral-9515552/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815115937/https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/taylor-swift-fans-get-free-swarovski-necklace-after-cancellation-of-vienna-shows-video-viral-9515552/ |url-status=live }}
See also
- Failed terrorism plots
- 2015 Graz car attack
- 2020 Vienna attack
- 2024 Southport stabbing, a mass-stabbing attack targeting children at a Swift-themed workshop days before the Vienna plot reveal
- Death of Ana Clara Benevides, another incident concerning the Eras Tour in Brazil
- Crocus City Hall attack, a 2024 terrorist attack at a concert in Moscow
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Taylor Swift}}
Category:Failed terrorist attempts in Europe
Category:Islamic terrorism in Austria
Category:2024 crimes in Austria
Category:Terrorist incidents in Austria
Category:ISIL terrorist incidents in Europe
Category:August 2024 in Austria