'We will be on duty 24/7' say Vienna police ahead of Eurovision semi finals

Security fencing and protective concrete was in place on Tuesday (May 12) as Vienna woke up for the first of the Eurovision Song Contest semi finals.

Austrian authorities have comprehensive security preparations in place for the entirety of the week-long high-profile international event.

At a specially established command centre at Vienna police headquarters, National Police Force Vice President, Dieter Csefan, said police would be on the alert 24/7.

The command centre, equipped with multiple screens showing key Eurovision locations throughout Vienna, coordinates security operations while medical teams from the Workers' Samaritan Foundation stand ready to respond to any incidents, according to Austrian officials.

The city, which woke up to grey skies and rain, was still quiet, with fans to the first big singing session expected in the afternoon.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world are in town for the 70th edition of the song contest.

Production: Christine Uyanik, Anna Dittrich, Tanya Wood/Reuters