Taylor Swift’s Vienna concerts cancelled after man arrested on suspicion of planning Islamist attacks

All three concerts by American star Taylor Swift scheduled in Vienna this week have been cancelled, organisers announced on Wednesday 7 August, after Austrian police revealed plans for Islamist attacks. “With the confirmation by the authorities of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three concerts for the safety of all”Barracuda Music explained on Instagram, adding that tickets would be automatically refunded “within 10 days”.

Austrian police earlier reported the arrest of two people, including a 19-year-old man who was planning Islamist attacks, particularly in connection with the American star’s concerts. A citizen, who had “pledged allegiance” to the jihadist group Islamic State, was arrested following a special operation in Lower Austria, an hour from the capital, the Director General of Public Security, Franz Ruf, said at a press conference.. “We discovered preparatory acts with a focus on Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna”he added, specifying that “chemical substances” had been “seizures” at the suspect’s home. The young man was in collusion with another person, also “radicalized on the internet” and arrested in Vienna, stressed the Director General of Public Security, without giving further details.

Taylor Swift was scheduled to perform in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her “Eras” European tour, which began in Paris in May. More than 170,000 fans were expected to attend, with an estimated economic impact of around 100 million euros.