Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
Aug 7, 2024, 1:44 PM
Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour on Friday, June 21, 2024. (File photo: Scott A Garfitt, Invision/AP)
(File photo: Scott A Garfitt, Invision/AP)
VIENNA (AP) 鈥� Organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week called them off on Wednesday after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts.
Swift was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital鈥檚 Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour.
Event organizer Barracuda Music said in a post on its Instagram channel late Wednesday that 鈥渨e have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone鈥檚 safety.鈥� It cited government officials’ 鈥渃onfirmation鈥� of a planned attack at the stadium.
Earlier Wednesday, authorities said they had arrested two suspected extremists, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the upcoming concerts.
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.
More about Taylor Swift: Superstar singer gives $100K to family of woman killed in Chiefs parade shooting
Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria鈥檚 interior ministry, said that authorities were aware of 鈥減reparatory actions鈥� for a possible attack 鈥渁nd also that there is a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,鈥� the Austria Press Agency reported.
Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalized on the internet. Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He didn’t give more details.
The cancelation came hours after authorities said security measures for the Swift concerts would be stepped up. Ruf said that there would be a special focus among other things on entry checks and concertgoers should plan a bit more time.
Vienna police chief Gerhard P眉rstl said at the same time that, while any concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk justified raising security.
Barracuda Music said that 鈥渁ll tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.”
