'Lockdown phase' enacted for Eurovision over ISIS threats
Threats surrounding ISIS have left Vienna on ‘high alert’ this week ahead of the Eurovision song contest’s opening ceremony.
A ring of steel is being created around the Austrian capital amid fears that it could be a prime target for an attack, with hundreds of security personnel and sniffer dogs deployed to the city.
Eurovision is being hosted in Vienna with semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday preceding Saturday’s grand finale.
Threats surrounding ISIS have left Vienna on ‘high alert’ this week. Pic: HANS KLAUS TECHT / APA / AFP via Getty Images
A ‘lockdown phase’ has reportedly been enacted around Stadthalle, where the competition’s 70th awards ceremony is being held.
Dr Nicolas Stockhammer, a counter-terror expert at the Danube University Krems, has claimed that the event could be a significant target.
He told The Sun: ‘This kind of a massive event takes all necessary preparations … on site immediately, but also in preventing any potential terrorist plots.
A ‘lockdown phase’ has reportedly been enacted around Stadthalle. Pic: HELMUT FOHRINGER / APA / AFP via Getty Images
‘This requires international cooperation with intelligence services and law enforcement bodies, which is happening.
‘One major threat is potential attacks in the public viewing zones that are much more difficult to secure than the stadium site, which can be secured in a better manner, but also, there is always the possibility that a terrorist attack might happen.’
He explained that a bomb-related attack was less likely than one involving a car rampage or stabbing spree.
ISIS has reportedly been growing as an increased security risk to European nations. Pic: HANS KLAUS TECHT / APA / AFP via Getty Images
ISIS has reportedly been growing as an increased security risk to European nations amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
After launching the attack on Iran in February, Donald Trump recently paused the latest US military operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, Iran launched four missiles at the US-backed Middle Eastern ally, the UAE, and blew up a major oil port, following Trump’s move to reopen the strait.
Trump declared on Truth Social a couple of days later that he was pausing operations after a request by Pakistan, which has acted as a mediator between the US and Iran.
The US president said that he made the decision because ‘Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement’ with Tehran.
