Austrian authorities say the main suspect in a plot to attack singer Taylor Swift’s concert in Austria has pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Authorities discovered chemicals at the suspect’s home.

The 19-year-old suspect, originally from North Macedonia, conspired with a 17-year-old Austrian man and was one of three people arrested after the plot was uncovered late on 7 August.

Speaking on ORF radio, Austrian Public Security Director General Frankz Ruf said chemicals and technical equipment were found at the 19-year-old suspect’s home in the town of Ternitz. The evidence showed that the suspect was carrying out “specific preparations.”

Austria’s National Intelligence Service said the 19-year-old suspect admitted planning a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert.

The Kurier newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that the suspect had stolen chemicals from a metalworking company in Ternitz, where he had worked, and had made progress in building a bomb.

According to the source, the suspect had planned to drive into the crowd expected to gather outside the stadium and had also considered using a knife.

Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, scheduled for this week, have been cancelled after Austrian authorities announced the arrest of several suspects planning a terrorist attack targeting the event.

Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform at Ernst Happel Stadium for three days from August 8-10. This is a leg of her very popular Eras Tour.

Austrian news agency APA estimated that about 170,000 fans bought tickets to attend singer Swift’s performances in Vienna./.

Austrian authorities say they have arrested two suspects in connection with a plot to attack concerts during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.