The upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been cancelled due to a confirmed terrorist threat, the event organizers announced.
The three Eras Tour concerts, scheduled for August 10-12 at the Ernst Happel Stadium, were cancelled after Austrian authorities reported they had arrested two suspects who were planning Islamist attacks on large events in the Vienna area.
“Due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety,” the organizers stated. They added that all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 working days.
The arrests were made on Wednesday, with a 19-year-old Austrian citizen arrested in Ternitz and a second suspect arrested in Vienna. According to the Austrian General Director for Public Security, Franz Ruf, the two suspects had become radicalized online and one had pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State in early July.
“According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalized via the internet,” Ruf said, adding that chemical substances had been found during a search of the 19-year-old’s home.
Read more
Courtney Love criticizes Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Madonna, and Lana Del Rey in controversial interview
Grammys 2024: Taylor Swift, SZA, Cyrus win at female-led awards
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged the cancellations would be “a bitter disappointment for all fans,” but said the threat was taken seriously and a “tragedy prevented” through the cooperation of police and security agencies.
The Vienna police chief, Gerhard Pürstl, said 65,000 people per day had been expected to attend the concerts, with an additional 22,000 fans anticipated outside the venue. Investigations into the threat are ongoing.
