The CIA recently exposed and helped thwart a major terrorist plot that aimed to cause mass casualties at Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna, Austria. CIA Deputy Director David S. Cohen disclosed the details of the disrupted attack during an Intelligence Summit near Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
According to Cohen, the CIA provided Austrian authorities with critical intelligence about suspects linked to the Islamic State group, who were planning a deadly assault on Swift’s Eras Tour performances in Vienna. This information led to the arrests of several individuals, including a 19-year-old Austrian national who had pledged allegiance to ISIS and targeted the concerts specifically.
“The successful arrests were a direct result of our collaboration with international intelligence partners, who worked together to prevent this catastrophic event,” Cohen explained.
In early August, concert promoter Barracuda Music canceled Swift’s three scheduled shows in Vienna, which were set for August 8, 9, and 10, citing security concerns. The cancellations were a significant blow to both Swift and her fans, but she later expressed relief that the potential tragedy was averted.
“Canceling the Vienna shows was heartbreaking, but knowing the reason behind it brought a profound sense of fear and guilt. However, I am deeply thankful to the authorities for their swift action, which ensured we mourned the loss of concerts, not lives,” Swift shared on Instagram.
Austrian authorities detained two suspects on August 7, with further arrests following. One suspect, the 19-year-old Austrian, had allegedly planned to use explosives and knives in a suicide attack during the concerts, intending to inflict maximum harm on the thousands of attendees.
The three concerts at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion were expected to draw around 200,000 fans. The CIA confirmed that the plotters had gained access to the venue and had gathered materials for bomb-making.
The investigation into the planned attack continues, with authorities analyzing the seized chemicals. In light of the incident, Austrian police have advised concertgoers to prepare for increased security measures at future events.
