KUALA LUMPUR – The organisers of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna have cancelled three shows scheduled for this week, following the arrest of individuals linked to a suspected plot targeting events in the area.
Swift was set to perform at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour, according to the Associated Press.
However, Barracuda Music, the event organiser, announced on Instagram late Wednesday that the shows were cancelled “for everyone’s safety,” citing government confirmation of a planned attack.
Authorities earlier disclosed the arrest of two suspected extremists, one of whom was believed to be plotting an attack on events in the Vienna area.
The General Director for Public Security, Franz Ruf, said the 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested on Wednesday morning in Ternitz in the province of Lower Austria.
He said a second arrest took place in Vienna in the afternoon, but gave no further details about the suspect.
“According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalised via the internet,” Ruf said, as quoted by the BBC.
He also mentioned that the 19-year-old had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State at the beginning of July.
A significant police operation occurred in Ternitz, where the suspect resided, leading to the evacuation of several nearby homes during a search of his property. Chemical substances were discovered and are currently under examination.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed disappointment over the concert cancellations on social media, acknowledging fans’ dismay. He commended the police and intelligence agencies for their efforts in recognising and neutralising the threat early, preventing potential tragedy.
Barracuda Music assured that all tickets would be refunded within ten business days, a message echoed on Swift’s official website.
The Vienna concerts had sold out, with an estimated 170,000 fans expected to attend.
Swift fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with many lamenting the loss of months spent anticipating the concerts.
The situation brings echoes the tragic 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, where 22 people were killed by a suicide bomber. An inquiry later criticised Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, for missing crucial opportunities to prevent the attack. – August 8, 2024