Plot to attack Taylor Swift show in Austria linked to Islamic State

The 19-year-old Austrian who masterminded a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift fans at a concert in Vienna with a bomb or knife had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, authorities said on Thursday.

The main suspect, who has North Macedonian roots, made a full confession in custody, Austria's general director for public security Franz Ruf told a news conference.

He swore loyalty to the IS militant group's leader on the internet and kept chemicals and technical devices at his home in the town of Ternitz in preparation for an attack, Ruf added.

The 19-year-old, whose name was not given, was planning an attack with an explosive or knife among the estimated 20,000 "Swiftie" fans set to gather outside the stadium, said national intelligence head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.

"There is currently no information that other concerts are subject to an explicit threat," he added at the news conference.