More information surrounding the alleged terror plot which led to the cancellation of three planned Taylor Swift Eras Tour concerts in Vienna, Austria has been revealed by authorities.
The head of Austria's Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, revealed a 19-year-old Austrian suspect who was detained had admitted to intending "to carry out an attack” at the concert “using explosives and knives,."
"His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert either today or tomorrow."
He also revealed investigators had found items such as hydrogen peroxide, detonators, detonator cables and homemade explosives already assembled at the suspect's apartment.
Officials said he was "clearly radicalised in the direction of the Islamic State (IS)," and added “large concerts” are “often a target of Islamist attacks.”
The authorities also revealed two other suspects had been detained, who were in contact with other individuals regarding the plan.
These other suspects included a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old. The 17-year-old worked at a facility management company that provided services to the stadium that was hosting Taylor's concert, whereas the 15-year-old was in the stadium at the time he was detained. He refused to speak with authorities.
Additionally, it was revealed a foreign intelligence agency tipped officials off to the plot.
“The situation was serious, the situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented."
A promotor posted on the official Taylor Nation Instagram account that the concerts were cancelled due to "safety" reasons.
"With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety." It was added that all tickets purchased "will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."
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