Singer-songwriter, Taylor Swift’s three-day concert in Vienna was canceled after government officials confirmed possible security threats over the planned terrorist attacks in areas around the Austrian capital.
On Wednesday, concert organizer, Barracuda Music confirmed the cancelation of Taylor Swift’s upcoming tour in Vienna, citing the planned terrorist attack.
“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,” they wrote.
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Two people were arrested over their involvement in the planned terrorist attacks.
According to Franz Ruf, Austria’s General Director for Public Security, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested in the province of Lower Austria. Authorities found that the former made “an oath of allegiance” to the Islamic State (IS), in July.
Chemical substances were also seized in his home and are currently being examined.
A second arrest took place in the afternoon, but no further details were provided by the police.
Authorities noted that before plotting the said attack, the two suspects became radicalized on the internet.
Earlier reports by authorities indicated that the 19-year-old perpetrator was focused on the singer-songwriter’s upcoming concert because of the number of people she would attract.
Gerhard Pürstl, Head of Police in Vienna, noted that 65,000 people per day were expected to attend Swift’s concert, with an additional estimate of 22,000 fans outside the venue.
In line with the concert’s cancelation, all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days, the concert organizer's announcement said.
