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Taylor Swift’s Vienna concerts canceled after plot to attack event uncovered

By Chris Williams
Updated  August 7, 2024 4:43pm EDT
Entertainment
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Taylor Swift's Vienna shows halted after attack plot discovery

Taylor Swift's three concerts scheduled for this week at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium have been canceled following the arrest of two suspected extremists. Security concerns prompted the decision to ensure the safety of attendees and performers.

The Brief 

    • Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been canceled following the arrest of two suspected extremists, one of whom was allegedly planning an attack targeting the events.
    • Authorities arrested a 19-year-old in Ternitz, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS and was found with chemical substances. Increased security measures will be implemented at the venue.
    • Event organizer Barracuda Music announced the cancelations on Instagram, prioritizing everyone's safety based on government confirmation of the planned attack.

BERLIN - Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week have been canceled after officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as the concerts.

Authorities in Austria said they arrested two suspected extremists, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area, such as the upcoming concerts. 

The main suspect, a 19-year-old, was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna while the second person in the Austrian capital.

Swift was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour.

Event organizer Barracuda Music said in a post on its Instagram channel late Wednesday that "we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety." It cited government officials' "confirmation" of a planned attack at the stadium.

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.

Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Olympiastadion on July 27, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

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Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.

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The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalized on the internet. Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He didn't give more details.

Swift has concerts scheduled at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour. Security measures for the concerts will be stepped up. Ruf said that there would be a special focus among other things on entry checks and concertgoers should plan a bit more time.

Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said that, while any concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk justified raising security.

The Source

  • This story includes reporting from the Associated Press, based on claims by Austria's interior ministry and other law enforcement via the Austria Press Agency. This story was reported from Los Angeles.