S Poddar
Vienna, a city usually associated with music and joy, has been put into a rather grim reality this week. An elaborately worked-up terror attack, aimed at a Taylor Swift concert, was foiled days before the event.
At the center of the plot was a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian origin, known only as Beran A. Investigators sketched a chilling portrait Tuesday of a young man indoctrinated and fueled by the dark ideologies of the Islamic State and al-Qaida. His home—an nondescript house in the Vienna suburb of Ternitz to the south—hid a sinister secret. A haul of bomb-making materials, chemicals and technical devices showed the depth of preparation.
Chaos and carnage were the plans, simplistic, yet devastating. The young man confessed to a chilling aim—to claim the lives of as many people as possible outside the concert venue. With an estimated 20,000 to 35,000 fans going to congregate outside the Ernst Happel Stadium for each night of the three-concert run, the danger was potentially very serious.
The millions of Swift fans in every part of the world received another heart-wrenching blow—the sold-out concerts were canceled. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer came out to share heartfelt sympathies with the disappointed fans, mainly from this youth segment whose dreams of watching their idol perform live had just come crashing down. But he remained firm for the sake of prioritizing safety.
The prompt action by the authorities has undoubtedly forestalled a calamity. A third suspect, an 18-year-old Iraqi man connected to the principal suspect, has been arrested, underlining just how elaborate this plot is. While the immediate threat appears at least contained, questions still remain as to how big the network was involved and whether further attacks are possible.
That incident has cast a long shadow over the coming concerts in London. Tightened security will still leave the fans on edge. Mayor of the city Sadiq Khan vowed that the shows shall go on, drawing analogies with the Manchester Arena attack and emphasizing the aspect of resilience.
Meanwhile, the Swift fan community—the Swifties—have shown remarkable resilience. Impromptu gatherings across Vienna turned it into a sea of friendship bracelets and shared heartbreak. Online, networks of support have popped up, with solace and practical advice at the ready. The desire to celebrate the music and the artist has still not been dampened, even in these troubled times.
Taylor Swift herself has yet to make any comment. Of course, being the artist who connects with her fans the most, she will speak out someday.
The whole world is now watching—some with horror, others with admiration—as things unfold. It is hard to deny the courage of the law enforcement agencies in the engagement. However, it also goes a long way to point out the perpetual danger of terrorism and any large public gathering.
Recovery will be long for the victims, both seen and unseen. Though music will go on, this harrowing plot is in most of the minds for a very long time.
