Suspected ISIS suicide attack thwarted at Taylor Swift concert

An Austrian teenager has been arrested for planning a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, swearing allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). The suspect was planning a deadly assault among the approximately 20,000 fans of “Swiftie” who will gather outside the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, said National Intelligence chief Omar Haijawi-Pirchner. According to Austria’s general director for public security, Franz Ruf, the 19-year-old man, who has North Macedonian roots, has admitted his guilt while in custody. He declared his loyalty to the leader of the IS group online and possessed chemicals, machetes, and technical equipment in his Ternitz residence, preparing for an assault. Two other young Austrians aged 17 and 15 were arrested on Wednesday for the reported plot. Swift’s concerts in Vienna were canceled for security reasons. The Austrian authorities have received information from US intelligence regarding the threat.