As usual, security always remains a major concern for Eurovision organisers. After two years of security breaches at the grand final of the contest in the past two years, KAN and the EBU are investing extra resources to ensure that the same does not happen this year.

They have, however, been tested by a security breach during the second semi-final on Thursday. Swedish publication Aftonbladet reports that two men entered the heavily restricted area of the press centre, situated next to the stadium where contestants perform.

The men broke through a two-meter-high chained fence, entering the press centre through an unattended exit. The pair filmed the press centre, before being questioned by staff and removed from the building.

Since the incident, staff on ground have ensured that it will be “impossible” to enter the area. Anyone currently entering the ground are having their bags checked and scanned, while everyone is required to pass through a metal detector. Staff are not taking any risks, and aren’t here to play games.

The security breach follows a cyber attack on KAN during the first semi-final. The broadcaster suffered a cyber attack during online streaming, with anti-Israeli messages appearing and disrupting the live feed of the show from Tel Aviv. The primary broadcast through television was unaffected.

KAN and the EBU would be hoping that it will not be third-time lucky for security breachers. Last year, a stage invader made it to the stage and wrestled the microphone from UK contestant SuRie. In 2017, streaker Vitalii Sediuk did much the same, bearing his behind on stage while Jamala was performing as an interval act.

Get more Eurovision 2019 news here

Photo: Courtesy of EBU

39 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
EzZ
EzZ
4 years ago

https://www.change.org/p/bbc-eurovision-drop-the-bbc-from-picking-the-uk-entry-for-2020/share_for_starters?just_created=true
Please if you could take a moment to look at this petition, and if you could sign as-well, they would mean a lot thank you.

Eyal
Eyal
4 years ago

I can’t believe Wiwi is quoting that tabloid again! What’s wrong with you??

jurijuspoo
jurijuspoo
4 years ago

Let’s not have another Surie incident shall we

Marty Mc CU
Marty Mc CU
4 years ago

I think all will be fine, Israeli security know what they are doing, they are very experienced in maintaining security for all events, festivals and in general this is part of everyday life. Safety is their first priority. To be honest they are one the best in the world.

yodenman
yodenman
4 years ago

Just off topic but does anyone else think this years songs are some of the weakest for a number of years.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  yodenman

Yes, except for Conan’s genious entry, it has been very flat

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  yodenman

no its good as always

Esc1234
Esc1234
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Do you enjoy the outrage for Bjorkman and Sweden as much as I do? Hahaha can’t wait to find out the televoting results

Veritas
Veritas
4 years ago

First cyber attack, now a security breach. And even before semi 1 has begun a worker was injured and died on wednesday. This esc production is really not well organized. Talking about security is one thing, but what are they doing about safety of all who are a part of esc (workers included)?!

P.S. Here is your source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/worker-injured-in-eurovision-venue-accident-dies/amp/

Loin dici
4 years ago

Again, the source is Aftonbladet, everybody.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

I don’t want to get anyone into trouble, but… what are you suggesting?

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Learning from the previous article, I suggest we should not take their source as pure facts. Some of these can be facts, some of them can also be made up. There should be an other secondary news to support the Aftonbladet source.

Naty Costa
Naty Costa
4 years ago

Justice From Portugal

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Naty Costa

get over it. Portugal’s entry was the best, but Eurovision sucks this year so it is even better for him to not be in this muddy final

Naty Costa
Naty Costa
4 years ago

3000 Subscribers from several countries ask to see why the votes of many voters in the song of Portugal did not come were not accepted we want Portugal to be part of the final because the quality of the song does not deserve to be left out is a huge injustice
https://www.change.org/p/eurovision-recount-eurovision-2019…

we will not stop looking for justice Portugal in the final

Þórir
Þórir
4 years ago
Reply to  Naty Costa

Look, the voters didn’t like it and it didn’t qualify, just like Iceland 2016, Estonia 2016, San Marino 2013 and many more. Deal with it. Portugal probably didn’t even finish 11th anyway

Einar
Einar
4 years ago
Reply to  Þórir

Well it’s pretty hard to finish 11th place if the televoters aren’t able to vote for you in the first place 😉

Annie
Annie
4 years ago
Reply to  Þórir

.

Freddy
Freddy
4 years ago
Reply to  Þórir

I´ve said it before in another post and I will say it again…If people want to vote, they should be able to vote. I have a group of spanish friends that gather every year for Eurovision and they always vote for Portugal because of our friendship. This year, and after several attempts, only 2 of my friends were lucky with their voting, the other 6 didn´t get their vote delivered. So, if we are complaining it is because many of us know people who live abroad (portuguese diaspora or just foreign friends) who tried to vote and weren´t successful. And… Read more »

dygh
dygh
4 years ago
Reply to  Freddy

You know, if there was any problem with the televoting, JOS would have said something about it just as he did a few years back.

Freddy
Freddy
4 years ago
Reply to  dygh

dygh, it happened to my friends, it´s not something that I just heard of . This can be easily proven with the attempts of voting acceding to the registered detailed data of network provider.

Kredential
Kredential
4 years ago
Reply to  Naty Costa

Did you stretch before this reach sis?

Jack
Jack
4 years ago

am i the only one who is afraid that something terrible might happen on Saturday? I am praying that security will be tight

nitzan
nitzan
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

there’s always a risk of something happening, just like anywhere alse. i find myself being concerned something bad will happen ahead of every eurovision because it’s such a big event and there’s always a chance.
having said that, being israeli, i know how seriously safety is taken here, especially in events like this, so i trust that they know how to ensure everything is secured and safe to the highest level. i mean, even those two men in the article were spotted and removed from the building, so…

jack
jack
4 years ago
Reply to  nitzan

yeah but you know that these men could have done terrible things… it was pure lack that they were just taking pictures… who knows for what…

nitzan
nitzan
4 years ago
Reply to  jack

yeah, i realised that after i posted my comment but regardless, i think they’ve learned their lesson in regards to security and make the required improvements

pooky1001
pooky1001
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Im sure the security will be fine if anything the most likely thing to happen is one of the finalists might make a political statement or sign other than that im sure everyone will be safe.

Koit
Koit
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Thoughts and prayers

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Conan said he had very bad vibes on the stage…

ConanAnubis
ConanAnubis
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Wow. Where did he say that?

Zuzu
Zuzu
4 years ago

*pretends to be shocked*

dygh
dygh
4 years ago

Wait, that’s where you are at! Please, stay safe Team Wiwi

Aho
Aho
4 years ago

The live shows suck too. The camera work is horrible

Tomoad
4 years ago

I’m too scared to watch the final, I have to fear an attack for 4 hours.

mreurovision
mreurovision
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomoad

are you on Drugs

Tomoad
4 years ago
Reply to  mreurovision

@mreurovision – don’t forget I warned you.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomoad

If something happens it will most likely be during the starting act, one of the favorite entries to win, hatari’s performance, or during madonna’s performance. We shall see…

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomoad

Please don’t say that 🙁
I don’t think that will happen

Þórir
Þórir
4 years ago
Reply to  Trocatroc

I highly doubt anything will happen myself, Israelis know how to keep things secure, but of course there is always the risk and if something goes wrong in Israel it goes very wrong
I’m sure it should be ok though