Three Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna Cancelled Over Suspected Terrorist Plot

Taylor Swift's scheduled concerts in Vienna have been canceled after authorities detained two men suspected of planning a terrorist attack aimed at major events, including her performances. Swift was set to perform at Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but the organizers, Barracuda Music, announced the cancellation citing safety concerns, Sky News reported.

Barracuda Music stated on Instagram, "We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety" following confirmation of the planned terrorist attack. This sentiment was echoed on Swift’s website, where under the "tour" tab, the shows are marked as canceled, with a note that "all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."

The suspects, both of whom have ties to ISIS according to Austrian authorities, had been under surveillance and were arrested on Wednesday. The younger suspect, aged 19, was apprehended first in Ternitz, with the second arrest following later in Vienna. The suspects had allegedly been radicalized online, focusing their detailed attack plans on the Swift concerts that were expected to attract up to 65,000 attendees daily.

Vienna state police director Franz Ruf and the Austrian Interior Ministry's public security director confirmed that the 19-year-old had pledged allegiance to ISIS and had undertaken preparatory actions for the attack. Chemical substances found at his residence are being examined as potential bomb components, though it was uncertain if he could have completed a device in time for the concerts, leading to their preemptive detention.

US officials reported that the investigation was ongoing, with additional suspects potentially linked to the plot being sought. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer regarded the cancellation as "a bitter disappointment" but stressed that a "tragedy [had been] prevented."

Provincial Police President Gerhard Pürstl had initially indicated that extensive security measures, including police in civilian attire, video surveillance, and police dog units, were planned for the events. Nonetheless, the decisive action followed the cancellation of the concerts out of an abundance of caution, declaring, "Islamist terrorism threatens security and freedom in many Western countries," reinforcing the importance of defending values like freedom and democracy.

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