- Shock and disappointment in Vienna: Terror hits Swiftties
In Vienna, the shock runs deep that an Islamist intended to cause a bloodbath at a Taylor Swift concert this week and had already made significant preparations. While the young fans of the US singer are greatly disappointed about the missed concert, they are also shaken by what could have happened. The threat of terrorism at large events is once again close at hand.
Why are large concerts targeted?
Perpetrators seek maximum attention and as many victims as possible, gathered for celebration and potentially disregarding security concerns or precautions. "Large concerts are often a preferred target of Islamic attackers," said Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner. He mentioned the attack on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris in 2015, where 130 people were killed, and Manchester in 2017, where 22 concertgoers died at an Ariana Grande concert. In March, 140 people were killed in a Moscow suburb during a concert of a Russian band.
What is the terrorist threat level in Austria?
Following the devastating attacks by the terrorist group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, with 1,200 deaths, Austria has raised its terror alert level to the second-highest. This means increased vigilance by authorities and security measures at events. The destruction caused by Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has also fueled violence among many young people. Vienna experienced a terrorist rampage in 2020, where an attacker killed four people and injured 23 others. He was shot by the police.
There is no increased danger for the upcoming Coldplay concerts in the same stadium, according to the event organizer Live Nation. "We should try to remain calm and not further fuel the situation with speculations," they stated. "All fans can assume that the safety of visitors, staff, and artists always comes first." There are also no concrete indications of a specific threat for the upcoming Frequency Festival in St. Pölten, according to the police.
How big is the IS threat still?
The main suspect in the Vienna attack swore allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). Despite its military defeats in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, the IS and its regional offshoots still pose a significant threat. While the terror network had fewer recruits for a time, the situation has changed again. Especially radicalized lone attackers and small terror cells, which are harder to detect, are dangerous - also in Europe.
"The risk of jihadist attacks is as high as it has been for a long time," said Thomas Haldenwang, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, in an interview with the German Press Agency in Berlin in June. He cited various reasons, including the takeover of power by the Islamic Taliban in Afghanistan, which has strengthened the jihadist idea, as well as Quran burnings in Scandinavia and Israel's military operation against the Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Are there any current specific threats in Germany?
No, but the abstract danger remains high. Security agencies are intervening at an earlier stage today than they did ten years ago. This is also a lesson from the terrorist attack on a Berlin Christmas market in 2016. Several suspected IS sympathizers were arrested in Germany in June and July of this year. One of them was a young man with German-Moroccan-Polish citizenship. He had unsuccessfully applied for jobs as a steward and security personnel at large events, including a music festival and events during the Euro Cup outside the stadiums. He failed the background check because the security agencies had him on their radar due to possible sympathies for the terrorist group Islamic State Province Khorasan (ISPK). The man was arrested at Cologne/Bonn Airport as he was trying to leave the country.
How is London preparing for the upcoming Swift concerts?
British policing minister Diana Johnson said that the London Metropolitan Police will review all available information before Taylor Swift returns to the UK for a series of concerts. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told Deutsche Presse-Agentur that there are no remarkable reports about Swift, but they will keep the public informed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the city is committed to the planned concerts with Swift. "We have a lot of experience in policing such events," Khan said. "We've learned a lot since the terrible attack in Manchester."
What do Swift fans say?
"Safety first" is the sentiment expressed by many on social media. Nevertheless, many fans are devastated. A German family traveled from California specifically for their daughter, who could only get tickets for the Swift concert in Vienna. The daughter has been a dedicated Swift fan for a decade and has been looking forward to the concert for a year, her mother reported. The family planned their entire European trip around the concert and spent "thousands of euros on completely overpriced hotels in Vienna."
Some "Swifties," as the singer's fans call themselves, encouraged each other to celebrate on social media anyway. On Instagram, someone suggested wearing the planned concert outfit and posting short dance videos to Swift songs with the hashtag #viennaswifties. "We're bringing the social media to life," they said. "It's a great day to be alive at the same time as Taylor Swift."
Will those who cancel their trip to Vienna get their money back?
Ticket costs will be refunded, but most people will likely not get their hotel and flight costs back. In individual cases, affected persons should check the terms and conditions of their provider. "I estimate that many have chosen non-refundable tariffs and are now stuck with the costs," said travel law expert Karolina Wojtal from the European Consumer Centre. Those who booked a package with concert tickets, hotel, and travel may have better chances of reimbursement. The Austrian railway company said they would refund directly purchased tickets for travel to the concerts "out of goodwill."
Will the organizer be left with the costs?
Barracuda Music has assured fans that tickets will be refunded within ten days. Regarding the costs of stadium rental, security services, and more, organizers typically take out cancellation insurance, said Johannes Everke, CEO of the Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry e.V., to dpa. "This type of insurance covers damages and losses due to the cancellation or failure of an event, provided the organizer is not at fault." Terror threat is among the insurable risks.
In light of the attempted terror attack in Vienna, concerns about safety at large events in Germany have also risen. German security agencies have been intervening at an earlier stage than a decade ago, as seen with the arrests of suspected IS sympathizers this year.
Germany, like Austria, remains vigilant against potential terrorist threats, given the ongoing significance of the Islamic State (IS) and its regional offshoots.
