Taylor Swift Concerts in Austria Were Allegedly Targeted in Terror Plot Involving ‘Chemical Substances,’ 2 Arrested

The investigation involved an hours-long operation that evacuated nearly half the town, per reports

MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 27: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO BOOK COVERS. Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Olympiastadion on July 27, 2024 in Munich, Germany.

Taylor Swift. PHOTO: THOMAS NIEDERMUELLER/TAS24/GETTY

Authorities in Austria say they have arrested two men in connection with an alleged terror plot involving upcoming Taylor Swift concerts.

Authorities carried out an investigation in a neighborhood in Ternitz, in the Lower Austria region, evacuating residents and cordoning off roads, reportedly in connection with threats at Swift concerts in Vienna, Kronen Zeitung (known commonly as Krone) reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed security officials.

One of the detained individuals is a 19-year-old man who has allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, Franz Ruf, Austria’s interior ministry’s security director, said at a press briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 6, per Austrian outlet Heute, Krone and NBC Boston.

Another man was arrested in Vienna, authorities said, and that suspect had also pledged allegiance to the terror group, per the outlets. No further information about him was available.

The investigation involved an hours-long operation in Ternitz where the 19-year-old lives with his family, per Krone. Following his arrest, police searched his home and evacuated almost half the town.

During the search, police found “chemical substances,” that are being tested, Ruf said at the press conference, per Heute and Krone. Photos published by Krone show personnel in protective gear carrying boxes and items at the scene.

Local police said they found detailed plans of the alleged attacks, authorities said, per NBC.

According to investigators, the two suspects had become radicalized online, per the outlets. It wasn’t immediately clear what charges they are facing.

Authorities have ramped up security for Swift’s concerts, including increasing surveillance and having more security personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, Austrian police told PEOPLE in a statement. They did not comment on whether this was linked to the arrests in Ternitz.

Swift is in Vienna for her Eras Tour from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, with many of her fans traveling from other countries to attend the concert, per Krone.