Austria’s Interior Ministry said it has arrested two people on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks around Vienna. It mentioned Taylor Swift concerts among upcoming events set for more strict security.
Taylor Swift’s promoter, Barracuda Music, called off shows by the US performer in Vienna later this week after law enforcement in Austria announced the arrests of two people suspected of planning to attack the concert venue.
“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,” Barracuda Music said on Instagram late on Wednesday, adding that all would-be concert-goers would have their tickets refunded.
Swift is playing a series of gigs around Europe as part of the “Eras Tour” at the moment and was recently in Germany.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer called the cancellation of the concerts a “bitter disappointment” for Swift’s fans, albeit adding “the situation surrounding the apparent planned terror attack in Vienna was very serious.”
He thanked the security services, saying in a post on X, “The threat was identified early on, combated and a tragedy prevented.”
2 arrested in Austria, leading to cancellation
Austria’s Interior Ministry said shortly before this on Wednesday that law enforcement had arrested two people, the primary suspect a 19-year-old male, on suspicion of planning “a terrorist attack against events in Vienna.”
Franz Ruf, director general for public security at the Austrian Interior Ministry, told reporters that Taylor Swift concerts in Austria’s largest football stadium were among the main suspect’s potential targets.
“We have identified relevant preparatory actions and also that there was a focus from the 19-year-old on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” Ruf said.
