Taylor Swift cancels concerts after suspects arrested amid 'terror attack fears'
Austrian police have arrested two suspected extremists alleged to have been planning an attack on an arena set to host Taylor Swift
Organisers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Austria later this week have called them off 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’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Event organiser Barracuda Music said in a post on its Instagram channel late on Wednesday that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety”.
Earlier on 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 upcoming concerts. The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital.
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Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s interior ministry, said that authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack “and also that there is a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” the Austria Press Agency reported.
Mr 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 radicalised on the internet. Mr Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He did not give more details.
Taylor Swift's official management team, Taylor Nation, shared news of the cancellation online. They shared a Barracuda Music post, which said: "The Eras Tour Vienna shows cancelled due to Government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack.
"With confirmation from Government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety.
"All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."
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