Strict controls

Vienna: Hundreds of police officers prepare for Coldplay

(Bild: Andreas Graf)

In the coming days, around 60,000 visitors to the Coldplay concerts in Vienna will have to be prepared for longer waiting times due to increased access controls. This is because the police are still on alert following possible plans to attack the Taylor Swift concert series.

The series of concerts by the British band Coldplay includes performances on Wednesday and Thursday as well as Saturday and Sunday. In order to secure the concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium, a special focus will be placed on access controls to the stadium and personal searches. All personnel will also be checked.

Smooth operation
In order to ensure that everything runs smoothly, gates will be set up for vehicles approaching the stadium, particularly along Prater Hauptallee, and checks will be carried out by specially equipped police officers. Temporary closures of pedestrian and vehicle traffic may also be possible.

Access to the stadium from 5 pm
There will also be "thorough searches at all entrances to the stadium", "so access to the venue may take longer than expected. We advise fans to travel light and ideally not to bring bags (for those who need bags, only small bags no larger than A4 are allowed). We also ask fans to arrive in good time for the start of the show," it said in a statement. The stadium gates will be open from 5pm.

Fans are advised to travel light and ideally not bring bags (for those who need bags, only small bags no larger than A4 are allowed).

Stellungnahme vom Veranstalter

Checks on staff
According to the police, staff working in and around the stadium will also be subject to security checks. Specifically, the Vienna State Office for State Protection and Counter-Extremism (LSE) will check whether a person may be classified as a person of concern to the state police.

Large contingent of emergency services
In addition to law enforcement units, civilian task forces and special units, including the WEGA and the police dog unit, will ensure that the events run smoothly. The Cobra task force will also support the operation.