- All Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been cancelled due to a terrorist threat.
First two arrests, then the cancellation: The organizers of Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna have cancelled all three planned shows on the eve of the first event. On the website of the organizer Barracuda Music, it is stated: "Due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for the safety of all. Tickets will be refunded within the next ten days."
On Wednesday in Austria, two people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism. They had allegedly planned attacks at the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, said Franz Ruf, General Director for Public Security in the Austrian Ministry of the Interior. The concerts were scheduled from Thursday to Saturday.
Suspicious substances secured
Chemical substances were secured from a 19-year-old Austrian. The police had evacuated houses and part of a retirement home as a precaution due to concerns about explosives.
The young man had radicalized himself on the internet and had sworn allegiance to the leader of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) a few weeks ago, said Ruf.
He was arrested in the morning in Ternitz, 75 kilometers southwest of Vienna. A second person was arrested in Vienna in the afternoon. The police did not provide further details.
Chancellor calls Taylor Swift concert situation "very serious"
"Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN (Directorate for State Security and Intelligence) with foreign services, the threat could be recognized, fought, and a tragedy prevented in good time," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote on Wednesday evening on the X platform. The investigation forces are currently working at full speed.
"We live in a time when violent means are used to attack our Western way of life," Nehammer continued. Islamic terrorism threatens the security and freedom of many Western countries. It is important to remain vigilant, stand together, and act decisively against Islamism.
For all fans in Austria, the cancellation of Taylor Swift's concerts is nonetheless a bitter disappointment.
Due to the arrests, reinforced controls were originally planned to be carried out at the concerts, announced the Vienna Police President Gerhard Pürstl, and special forces were to be deployed. Around 65,000 fans were expected for each of the US pop star's shows.
Following the arrests, heightened security measures were necessary: Due to the arrest of individuals suspected of planning terror attacks at the Taylor Swift concerts, reinforced controls and the deployment of special forces were planned. Unfortunately, the confirmation of a potential attack led to the cancellation of all three concerts for safety reasons.
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