WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Three sold-out Taylor Swift concerts in Austria planned for this week have been cancelled after a terrorist attack threat.
Authorities arrested two suspects and are sharing more about their motivations.
Officials say the suspects involved were inspired by the Islamic state group.
They say a 19-year-old man confessed to wanting to kill as many people as possible outside the stadium.
It's a sad day for Swiftys, like 17-year-old Anna Marie from Bulgaria.
"I just couldn't stop crying,” she said.
Austrian officials say a tragedy was prevented when concert organizers cancelled the concerts.
Officials arrested two men believed to be behind the plot.
The main suspect: a 19-year-old Austrian who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic state group online. He also confessed plans to carry out the attack with knives or explosives.
Investigators say they found bomb making materials at his home.
"We do commend the very swift action that they took to disrupt what could have quite obviously been a very serious incident,” said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. is in touch with the Austrian government and is leaving the investigation to them.
"I think we know all too well the threat of ISIS,” said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
The Pentagon says the U.S. works with its allies to fight ISIS, but the CIA declined to say if U.S. intelligence played a role in the investigation.
Concert organizer Barracuda Music said it stands by its decision.
They expected 65,000 fans inside the stadium for each concert and as many as 30,000 outside.
Barracuda Music says all tickets will be refunded.
The show will go on for Taylor Swift's Eras tour in Europe. Her next stop is in London next week, where the mayor says the city will be on alert.
