Three concerts by pop superstar Taylor Swift scheduled in Vienna have been canceled due to a legitimate terror threat confirmed to organizers by the Austrian government.
The cancelation was announced following the arrest of two men suspected of planning terrorist attacks in the area. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged the gravity of the situation.
Event organizer Barracuda Music confirmed the cancellation, citing the risk of a terrorist attack. The concerts were to take place on Thursday, Friday, and Wednesday at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. The organizer expressed regret on Instagram, stating, “We have no choice but to cancel the three planned concerts for the safety of everyone involved.”
In a statement, it was added that “all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.”
Chancellor Nehammer expressed his disappointment for Austrian fans on social media but stressed the severity of the planned terror attack. He praised the effective collaboration between police, intelligence agencies, and foreign services, which helped identify and neutralize the threat, preventing a tragedy.
Earlier reports indicated the detention of two individuals suspected of terrorism, one of whom had planned an attack targeting events in the Vienna area.
A 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, while another was detained in Vienna. Franz Ruf, the director of public security at the Austrian interior ministry, reported that authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack and that the detained 19-year-old focused on Taylor Swift’s performances in Vienna.
The Austrian Press Agency revealed that the young man had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, a Sunni extremist terrorist organization, and is suspected to have become radicalized online. Chemical substances were found during the investigation and are currently being analyzed.
