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  "path": "/news/world/terror-alert-eurovision-vienna-security-plans-revealed",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-06T23:48:58.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "70th Eurovision Song Contest",
    "terror attack on a Taylor Swift concert",
    "all three concerts",
    "Israel's inclusion in the international song contest",
    "boycotts from five countries",
    "Boy George hits back at Eurovision boycott over Israel: 'I won't turn my back!'",
    "Eurovision 2026 participating countries CONFIRMED amid boycotts over Israel - see list in FULL",
    "Germany warns it will BOYCOTT Eurovision if Israel is excluded as chancellor speaks out - 'Scandal'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nVienna is working on a large-scale security operation for this year's edition of Eurovision amid fears of a terror attack or mass protest.\n\nThe Austrian capital will host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest amid controversy over Israel's participation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAustrian broadcaster ORF, which is overseeing the event, said it has \"refined\" security plans since the last time it hosted, in 2015.\n\nAustria's terror alert is at the second-highest level on its five-grade warning system, and has been ever since a planned terror attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024 was foiled by US authorities.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nIt did, however, result in all three concerts by the international country star being cancelled - and ORF is hoping to avoid a similar fate for Eurovision.\n\nSecurity will be supported by the FBI, operating remotely from New York to monitor potential cyberattacks.\n\nBefore the rehearsals for the semi-finals start on Saturday, a canine unit will sweep the hall for explosives.\n\nAll 16,000 audience members at each event, the two semi-finals on May 12 and 14, and the grand final on May 16, will be subject to airport-style security screening, with up to 30 security gates installed at the Wiener Stadthalle.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 70th iteration of the international song contest, which opens on Sunday, will operate a no bag policy.\n\nIt will also ban bringing drinks and lighters into the venue, and fans will only be allowed to bring flags which adhere to EU requirements on fire-resistance.\n\nAustrian authorities are preparing for protests against Israel's inclusion in the international song contest.\n\nThe decision to include the Jewish state sparked fury and boycotts from five countries, including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia.\n\n### EUROVISION BOYCOTTS - READ MORE:\n\n\n\n\n  * Boy George hits back at Eurovision boycott over Israel: 'I won't turn my back!'\n  * Eurovision 2026 participating countries CONFIRMED amid boycotts over Israel - see list in FULL\n  * Germany warns it will BOYCOTT Eurovision if Israel is excluded as chancellor speaks out - 'Scandal'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAnd the previous two editions of Eurovision, in Malmo, Sweden, and Basel in Switzerland, were both subject to public demnstrations.\n\nLocal authorities have sought to assure the expected 200,000 fans in the capital that the terror risk is under control.\n\n\n\"We can assure you that there is no specific threat to the Eurovision Song Contest,\" Irina Steirier of Vienna police vowed.\n\nShe said several hundred police officers in both uniform and plain clothes will be deployed daily during the extent of the competition.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe added: \"A dedicated task force will be available around the clock for the entire duration of the Eurovision Song Contest.\n\n\"This enables inquiries to be clarified immediately and a swift response to international developments.\"\n\nShe has said no restrictions on demonstrations would be applied in the capital.\n\n\"Freedom of assembly is a core tenet of democracy, which is why we are ensuring both that this right is exercised and that the safety of all those involved is guaranteed, \" she said.\n\nBoos came from the audience during Israel's performances during the two previous editions of the song contest and were blocked out by organisers at the European Broadcasting Union.\n\nBut the ORF has pledged to not pipe in artificial applause or hide the noise of any protests, according to programme director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz.\n\nThe UK will be represented at Eurovision by singer Look Mum No Computer, who will perform his song Eins, Zwei, Drei, which features more of the German language than Germany's entry to the song contest.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Major European capital preparing for terror attack during Eurovision as major security plans revealed"
}