Taylor Swift's three scheduled concerts in Vienna have been cancelled due to a terror threat. The decision follows the arrest of two people who were accused of planning an attack during her shows.
The concerts were set to take place from Thursday to Saturday at Ernst Happel Stadium. The cancellation was announced by Barracuda Music, Swift's Austrian concert promoter. They said the cancellation was made to ensure everyone’s safety, based on information from government officials about a planned attack.
On Wednesday morning, Austrian police arrested a 19-year-old man in Ternitz, Lower Austria. The man, who supports ISIS, was arrested after authorities found evidence suggesting he was preparing for a terrorist attack. Another suspect was also arrested later in Vienna.
Police reported that the 19-year-old had pledged support to ISIS and had been influenced by extremist content online. They found explosives and chemical substances at his home, which are now being analyzed.
Approximately 65,000 people were expected to attend each concert, with an additional 15,000 to 20,000 fans anticipated to gather outside the stadium. The cancelled shows will have a significant impact on Vienna's businesses, which were preparing for the influx of visitors.
Barracuda Music said that ticket refunds will be processed automatically within the next 10 business days.
This incident highlights the ongoing risk of large events being targeted by terrorists. Similar attacks in the past have included the 2015 Bataclan assault in Paris and the 2017 Manchester bombing at an Ariana Grande concert, both carried out by ISIS.
Fans and local businesses in Vienna are left disappointed by the abrupt end to Taylor Swift's highly anticipated performances.
