Current:Home > InvestPolice Weigh in on Taylor Swift's London Concerts After Alleged Terror Attack Plot Foiled in Vienna -NextFrontier Finance
Police Weigh in on Taylor Swift's London Concerts After Alleged Terror Attack Plot Foiled in Vienna
View
Date:2025-04-13 08:46:01
Taylor Swift's concerts in London will go on.
While the “Blank Space” singer's three shows in Vienna were canceled in the wake of a foiled potential terror attack, five shows at Wembley Stadium will take place as scheduled, according to London Metropolitan Police.
"The Met works closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure there are appropriate security and policing plans in place," a spokesperson for the organization told multiple outlets. "There is nothing to indicate that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have an impact on upcoming events here in London."
The spokesperson added, "As always, we will continue to keep any new information under careful review."
Swift will close out the European leg of her Eras Tour in Wembley, playing five shows from Aug. 15 to Aug. 20.
The confirmation of Swift’s upcoming concerts comes as new information regarding the foiled terror plot continues to emerge.
On Aug. 6, authorities in Austria arrested an Austrian man, 19, over an alleged plot to carry out a suicide attack at a Swift concert in Vienna, which prompted the cancellation of all three of her upcoming shows in the city's Ernst-Happel-Stadion soccer stadium, which were to take place between Aug. 8 and Aug. 10 and draw an estimated 170,000 fans.
"I'm sure Vienna has got its own reasons to cancel the Taylor Swift concerts," London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News. "We're going to carry on, working closely with police [and] ensuring that the Taylor Swift concerts can take place in London safely."
The suspect of the foiled Vienna attack had confessed that he had planned to kill himself and a large number of other people with knives and explosive devices, Austrian officials said in a press conference Aug. 8.
The man, an Austrian citizen with North Macedonian roots, had downloaded manuals for bomb building and authorities found knives, a machete, hydrogen peroxide, homemade explosives, detonators and detonator cables at his apartment, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, director of Austria's domestic intelligence service, told reporters.
The suspect had been planning to attack the tens of thousands of Swift fans expected to gather outside the stadium in Vienna, Haijawi-Pirchner said at the press conference, per Reuters.
Haijawi-Pirchner added that the suspect had consumed radical Islamist propaganda, mainly from Islamic State and Al Qaeda. The official also told Austria’s public broadcaster ORF that the man had uploaded an oath of allegiance to the current leader of Islamic State to an internet account just a few weeks ago, NBC News reported.
In addition to the 19-year-old, police detained two other Austrians aged 17 and 15 in connection with the reported attack plot. Haijawi-Pirchner told reporters Islamic State and Al Qaeda material was found at the home of the older teen, who he said was employed for some days by a company that was to provide unspecified services at the venue for the Swift concerts, NBC News said.
"We have prevented a terrorist attack by a suicide bomber," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said, via German translation, on X. It is a success that we have prevented any deaths."
Islamic State, also known as ISIS, had claimed responsibility for a 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in the U.K. city that killed 22 people, including children, and injured more than 200.
London's mayor said they were "looking forward to welcoming Taylor Swift back" to his city, where she had performed three concerts in June, when she was joined on and off stage by boyfriend Travis Kelce.
"We have a huge amount of experience in policing these events, we're never complacent," Khan said. "Many lessons were learnt after the awful Manchester Arena attack."
News of the foiled attack plot in Austria comes a week after a man, who recently turned 18, was arrested for allegedly killing three girls at a Swift-themed dance class in Southport. He faces three counts of murder plus 10 counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article over the fatal stabbing. The motive for the attack has not been released.
(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (38)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Judge rules that adult film star Ron Jeremy can be released to private residence
- 2024 NFL draft first-round order: Carolina Panthers continue to do Chicago Bears a favor
- Suzanne Shepherd, 'Sopranos' and 'Goodfellas' actress, dies at 89
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- With the world’s eyes on Gaza, attacks are on the rise in the West Bank, which faces its own war
- Miscarriages, abortion and Thanksgiving – DeSantis, Haley and Ramaswamy talk family and faith at Iowa roundtable
- Honda recalls nearly 250,000 cars, SUVs and pickup trucks
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Sharon Osbourne says she 'lost 42 pounds' since Ozempic, can't gain weight: 'I'm too gaunt'
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- TikTokers swear the bird test can reveal if a relationship will last. Psychologists agree.
- New York Jets bench struggling quarterback Zach Wilson
- Miscarriages, abortion and Thanksgiving – DeSantis, Haley and Ramaswamy talk family and faith at Iowa roundtable
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Shakira reaches a deal with Spanish prosecutors on the first day of tax fraud trial
- James scores season-high 37, hits go-ahead free throw as Lakers hold off Rockets 105-104
- When landlords won't fix asthma triggers like mold, doctors call in the lawyers
Recommendation
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Jason Momoa makes waves as 'SNL' host, tells Dasani to 'suck it' during opening monologue
Albanese criticizes China over warship’s use of sonar that injured an Australian naval diver
'Stamped From the Beginning' is a sharp look at the history of anti-Black racism
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Senegal opposition party sponsoring new candidate Faye after court blocks jailed leader Sonko’s bid
'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' tells the unknown tale of a Western hero. But is it the Lone Ranger?
Univision cozies up to Trump, proving the Latino vote is very much in play in 2024