Taylor Swift Vienna concerts canceled due to terror threat

VIENNA: Security in Vienna was heightened and three Taylor Swift concerts were canceled following the arrest of two people suspected of planning terrorist attacks.

Viennese Security officials cancelled the billionaire singer’s performances at Ernst Happel Stadium scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The concerts in Vienna were part of Taylor Swift Eras Tour.

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Authorities in Austria arrested a 19-year-old in Ternitz, located south of Vienna, and another suspect in Vienna. Austria’s General Director for Public Security Franz Ruf disclosed that the 19-year-old had sworn allegiance to ISIS and had been radicalised through online channels.

Chemicals discovered at his home are currently being examined.

The arrests led to immediate increases in security measures around the concerts. Vienna Police Chief Gerhard Pürstl mentioned that while the direct threat was mitigated, a potential risk remains.

Attendees were told to expect delays due to heightened security protocols, including more strict entrance checks. The area around the stadium will see the deployment of special forces, police dog units, and anti-terror teams, with both mobile and stationary surveillance and airspace monitoring.

The event organiser Barracuda Music announced the cancellation of the concerts on Wednesday night, citing government confirmation of a potential attack.

According to reports, ticket will be refunded automatically within ten business days.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed regret over the canceled concerts but praised the collaboration between Austrian and international intelligence agencies for averting a possible disaster.

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The concerts were fully booked, with around 170,000 fans expected to attend. Many fans took to social media to voice their disappointment, lamenting that months of preparation will now go to waste.

In 2017, a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester resulted in 22 deaths and over 100 injuries.