Third Teenager Apprehended in Failed Plot to Attack Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna, Austria

LONDON — A third adolescent has been apprehended in relation to the thwarted attack on now-scrapped Taylor Swift performances in Vienna, as declared by Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner on Friday.

Karner, who disclosed the information at an unrelated media briefing, mentioned that the 18-year-old Iraqi national was detained in Austria’s capital on Thursday night after purportedly communicating with the primary suspect — a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday. Another 17-year-old suspected accomplice — also an Austrian citizen — was also taken into custody later on Wednesday.

Karner emphasized that “extensive investigations” are ongoing.

A 15-year-old Turkish national was previously detained and questioned by authorities but is not considered a suspect.

Taylor Swift’s trio of performances in Vienna were called off following the arrests of the first two suspects for allegedly scheming a terrorist attack, officials stated.

“We are left with no alternative but to cancel the three planned shows for the safety of all,” a statement from Barracuda Music conveyed. “All tickets will be refunded automatically.”

The suspects allegedly radicalized themselves online, Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior, mentioned at a press conference. The 19-year-old suspect supposedly pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State at the start of July, Ruf disclosed.

Investigators are skeptical about the purported plot’s feasibility and are uncertain if a functional explosive device was manufactured. Nevertheless, Viennese investigators discovered precursor chemicals for explosives, indicating a level of motivation and planning, sources informed ABC News.

Austrian investigators are scrutinizing surveillance footage to ascertain whether one or more of the suspects had previously scouted the concert venue or other potential targets.

As previously reported by ABC News, law enforcement officials have been alarmed about attacks at large gatherings since the deadly incident at a Moscow concert hall earlier this year, which ISIS-K claimed responsibility for.