Third Teen Arrested in Foiled Terror Plot Targeting Taylor Swift Concert in Austria

The teen suspects arrested for plotting an ISIS-style terror attack at one of Taylor Swift's Austrian concerts this week had planned to drive a bomb-laden car into the crowd.

A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled terror plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Austria, just days after pledging allegiance to ISIS, Austrian security officials announced Friday.

The 18-year-old Iraqi national was apprehended Thursday night in Vienna after authorities discovered his communication with the alleged mastermind of the plot, according to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

"He had been in contact with the main perpetrator but was not directly involved in the attack plans," Karner said during a news conference. However, it was revealed that on August 6, the suspect had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS).

Fans gathered in the streets after the cancellations were announced.

The latest arrest follows the earlier detainment of the alleged ringleader, a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian descent, and a 17-year-old Austrian with Turkish and Croatian roots. Both were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the planned attack on one of Swift’s three scheduled concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.

The plot, which led to the cancellation of all three concerts, is believed to have been inspired by ISIS. Both the main suspect and the 18-year-old arrested Thursday had recently pledged loyalty to the terror group. The 19-year-old suspect is thought to have been radicalized by Berlin-based hate preacher Abul Baraa, notorious on social media, according to German outlet BILD, which cited intelligence sources.

A raid on the 17-year-old suspect's home uncovered extensive ISIS and al-Qaeda-related materials. Investigators are now examining the suspects' networks and reviewing physical and electronic evidence. A 15-year-old boy was also questioned but later released and is now considered a witness.

Fans gathered in the streets after the cancellations were announced.

Concert organizers in Austria had expected up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert, with as many as 30,000 more outside. The planned attack was intended to occur on Thursday or Friday, Karner said.

The main suspect has reportedly confessed to planning a suicide attack aimed at causing mass casualties using homemade explosives and knives. Bomb-making materials were found at his residence, with at least one explosive device in the process of being built. The 17-year-old suspect, who was arrested near the stadium, had recently been employed by a company providing services at the venue during the concerts.

"The suspects had very specific and detailed plans … to leave a bloodbath in their wake," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer revealed on Thursday.

Fans gathered in the streets after the cancellations were announced.

The names of the suspects have not been released due to Austrian privacy laws. Austrian authorities received information about the concert threat from U.S. intelligence, as Austrian law does not permit monitoring of instant messaging apps, which the suspects allegedly used to communicate.

Nehammer defended the decision to cancel the concerts, stating that the arrests occurred too close to the scheduled events. "I understand that those who wanted to experience the concert live are very sad," he said, "but in such serious moments, safety must come first."

Concert organizer Barracuda Music confirmed the cancellations in an Instagram post, citing safety concerns. Swift has not yet publicly commented on the cancellations or the terror threat, although she has previously expressed that such an attack is her "biggest fear."