Taylor Swift ISIS terror attack: Everything we know so far as police uncover sinister Vienna bomb plot
Taylor Swift was forced to cancel three shows in Vienna after an alleged plot to launch an attack at the concert venue in the Austrian capital
Taylor Swift has been forced to cancel the Vienna leg of her record-breaking Eras tour after an apparent plot to launch an attack at a concert in the Austrian capital.
The announcement was made by organisers Barracuda Music the day before Swift was due to play on stage tonight. Austrian authorities said they had arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly planning an Islamist attack with Swift's concert 'the focus'. Swift was due to play to 170,000 fans over the course of three nights.
In an Instagram post late on Wednesday, Barracuda Music said they had no choice but to axe the shows: "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."
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The statement assured Taylor's fans that people who purchased tickets for the show would receive an automatic refund within the next 10 business days. The singer was due to hit the stage at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
What was the bomb plot?
Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria's interior ministry, stated 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 pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group. The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalised on the internet. The public security director added that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. No more details were given.
The focus of the alleged bomb attack was the capital city and, in particular, Taylor Swift's concert.
The arrest
Authorities have arrested two suspected extremists, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on the event in the Vienna area. The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital. The 19-year-old's arrest took place in the early hours of Wednesday, while the second arrest took place in Vienna later in the day.
Austria’s top security chief, Franz Ruf, told a press conference: "We have established corresponding preparatory acts and also that there is a focus of the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna." Authorities are still investigating the case - and believe there are other suspects at large, according to Austrian media.
It is understood that the venue has not yet been considered safe for the public to attend.
Who were the attackers?
The man, an Austrian citizen, is believed to have become radicalised on the internet. A second person believed to have been in contact with the suspect was arrested in Vienna. It has been said that both men have become radicalised on the internet. According to officials, the suspects have been under surveillance for some time and were well known to authorities.
While two men were arrested, US officials who were familiar with the investigation revealed to Sky News' US partner NBC News that Austrian authorities were still looking for an additional individual, or individuals, who could have knowledge of the horrifying bomb plot.
Will the London Wembley dates still go ahead?
There hasn't been an official update from Wembley Arena or the promoters about her upcoming London shows and whether they are still going ahead. The singer recently played sold-out shows at the stadium in June and is supposed to return for another five shows from 15 August to 20 August. All five nights have sold out.
However, the UK has been on high alert amid the riots running rampant throughout several cities and towns. The Vienna bomb plot also comes a week after the horrific attack on young girls in Southport. Three children were killed and multiple were injured in the knife attack in the Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
What has Taylor Swift said?
Taylor has yet to speak out on the cancellation of her three Vienna dates. The pop star will be devastated as it's only the second time she has had to cancel a concert in her career. She recently spoke out about the Southport attacks in a heartfelt post on social media.
Speaking about the incident, Taylor said: "The horror of yesterday's attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I'm just completely in shock. The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families."
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