Current:Home > StocksPolice Weigh in on Taylor Swift's London Concerts After Alleged Terror Attack Plot Foiled in Vienna -AssetLink
Police Weigh in on Taylor Swift's London Concerts After Alleged Terror Attack Plot Foiled in Vienna
View
Date:2025-04-16 00:06:14
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! (265)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Colorado is first in nation to pass legislation tackling threat of AI bias in pivotal decisions
- Ketel Marte hitting streak: Diamondbacks star's batting average drops during 21-game hitting streak
- Mississippi man accused of destroying statue of pagan idol at Iowa state Capitol takes plea deal
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- You'll Be Stuck On New Parents Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge's Love Story
- Americans want to protect IVF amid battles over abortion, but Senate at odds over path forward
- U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets July 4 election date as his Conservative party faces cratering support
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- The 77 Best Memorial Day 2024 Fashion Deals: J.Crew, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Michael Kors, Gap & More
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- What is clear-air turbulence? What to know about the very violent phenomenon
- Coast Guard suspends search for two French sailors after cargo schooner sinks
- Super Size Me Director Morgan Spurlock Dead at 53 After Private Cancer Battle
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Biden campaign releases ad slamming Trump on gun control 2 years after Uvalde school shooting
- Super Size Me Director Morgan Spurlock Dead at 53 After Private Cancer Battle
- Prosecutors in Harvey Weinstein’s New York case cry foul over defense lawyer’s comments
Recommendation
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Republican AGs ask Supreme Court to block climate change lawsuits brought by several states
Say That You Love This Photo of Pregnant Hailey Bieber Baring Her Baby Bump During Trip With Justin
New Nintendo Paper Mario remake features transgender character
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Trump says he believes Nikki Haley is going to be on our team in some form
Median home sale price surpasses $900,000 in California for the first time
You'll Be Stuck On New Parents Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge's Love Story