Taylor Swift’s Vienna Concerts Cancelled Due to Security Threat

Three of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna have been cancelled because of a possible security threat. The concerts, part of her Eras tour, were supposed to happen on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

On Wednesday, Austrian authorities arrested two people suspected of planning attacks on big events near Vienna. This led to the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts to keep everyone safe.

The concert organizers said, “Due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.” They also said that all tickets will be refunded automatically within the next 10 working days.

Details of the Arrests

Franz Ruf, Austria’s General Director for Public Security, shared more details. A 19-year-old Austrian was arrested in Ternitz, Lower Austria, on Wednesday morning, and another suspect was arrested in Vienna later that day.

Ruf explained that the suspects became radicalized online and that the 19-year-old had pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State in early July.

A large police operation in Ternitz included evacuating nearby houses and searching the suspect’s home, where chemical substances were found and are now being examined.

Government Response

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer spoke about the situation, saying the cancellations are disappointing for fans but necessary due to the serious threat.

He praised the police and security agencies for their quick and cooperative efforts, saying, “Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and security agencies with foreign services, the threat was recognized early, combated, and a tragedy prevented.”

Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl noted that the concerts were expected to attract 65,000 attendees daily, with an additional 22,000 fans outside the venue. The investigation into the planned attacks is still ongoing.