Two suspected extremists were arrested in Austria on Wednesday, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as upcoming Taylor Swift concerts, authorities said.
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.
Franz Ruf, head of public security at Austria’s interior ministry, said authorities were aware of “preparatory measures” for a possible attack “and also that there is focus from the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” Austria’s reported press agency.
Ruf said the 19-year-old Austrian national had been radicalized on the internet and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in July.
Ruf said chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He did not provide further details.
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Swift has concerts scheduled at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour. Ruf said the concerts will draw crowds of up to 65,000, with thousands more expected to gather outside the stadium.
The security measures before the concerts will be tightened. Ruf said there would be a particular focus on entrance checks, among other things, and concertgoers should plan a little more time.
Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said that while any concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk justified raising security.