Organizers have canceled three concerts by US pop star Taylor Swift in Vienna amid fears of terror attacks. According to security officials, the 19-year-old radical Islamist planned the attacks and also targeted performances by a popular American singer in the capital.
“As government officials have confirmed a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” the Barracuda Music organizer said on Instagram. Concerts were scheduled to take place in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Earlier, two terror suspects, including a 19-year-old, were arrested in Austria on Wednesday. According to police findings, the teenager planned to carry out attacks in a large area of ​​Vienna. Police did not initially release any information about the second person arrested.
Reports of fugitive suspects
A 19-year-old man and another man were arrested, but police have not released their ages and relationship to the teenager for tactical reasons. However, potential partners worried organizers. More suspects are being sought, various media reported citing security sources. The police did not want to confirm this. Few other details were initially released in the investigation.
As with all Swift concerts on the superstar’s tour, the one in Vienna was sold out. Ernst Happel Stadium would have had 65,000 people on each evening, with police expecting another 15,000 to 20,000 Swift fans in the area surrounding the stadium.
Chancellor Nehammer: “A tragedy averted”
“The cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organizers is a bitter disappointment to all fans in Austria,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehhammer wrote in X. “The situation surrounding the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna is extremely serious. Thanks to the intensive cooperation of the newly established DSN (Directorate of State Security and Intelligence) with our police and foreign services, the threat was recognized early, combated and a tragedy prevented.
Investigators searched throughout the day Wednesday in Dernitz, 75 kilometers southwest of Vienna. A 19-year-old youth was also arrested there. Specialists were working there even in the evening. The police disclosed that data carriers such as computers or cell phones were confiscated. The second arrest took place in Vienna.
Intensified on the Internet
The 19-year-old Austrian was active on related sites on the Internet. Police said he was radicalized through online forums. He also pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group in July.
The discovery of chemicals in the rooms suggests that the attack plans may have been well advanced. Investigators were working there in protective suits. But it is not clear what the teenager had planned.
The purchase price of concert tickets is subject to an automatic refund
According to the organizers, all tickets for canceled concerts will be automatically refunded within the next ten days. At each of the three concerts, 65,000 people are expected in the sold-out stadium, as well as about 20,000 fans who will have come to the arena without tickets to listen to their idol’s music from afar, Vienna state police chief Gerhard Burstl said.
“The findings of the investigation lead to increased police surveillance,” he said hours before the concerts were canceled. They have already been arrested. Firm risk is reduced, but an abstract risk still exists. The state police chief said when asked by a reporter that the police cannot cancel such events.
The police had already mobilized special anti-terrorist forces, including plainclothes officers and those with special training and service dogs, to protect the concerts. She wanted to track the aerial mobile and stationary.
“Swifties” react with frustration — and understanding
Their fans, known as “Swifties”, were deeply disappointed but also understanding of the cancellation. “Can’t believe it,” one wrote under Barracuda Music’s Instagram post. “My heart is broken,” wrote another. Given the very real threat of terrorism, many of the musician’s supporters still described the cancellation as the right decision.
After the arrest, the police were asked if they thought it was right to cancel the concerts. Vienna state police chief Gerhard Bürstl refrained from making such suggestions. However, he clarified that while the arrest had reduced the concrete risk, an “abstract risk” still existed.
Government: Don’t destroy the way of life
Austrian Vice Chancellor Werner Kögler (Greens) thanked the investigators. “Terrorists want to scare us and chase us,” he wrote on the X texting service. “We will not allow it to destroy our way of life.”
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