Taylor Swift’s Vienna Concerts Cancelled Due to Security Threat

Three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, part of her highly anticipated Eras tour, have been cancelled following a potential security threat. The shows, originally scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium, will no longer proceed due to safety concerns.
The decision to cancel the concerts comes after two individuals were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of planning Islamist attacks on major events around the Austrian capital. A statement from the event organizers confirmed the cancellation, stating: “Due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.”
The organizers also noted that “All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 working days.”
Franz Ruf, Austria’s General Director for Public Security, revealed that a 19-year-old Austrian citizen was apprehended in Ternitz, Lower Austria, on Wednesday morning. A second suspect was arrested later in Vienna, though further details were not disclosed. Ruf indicated that both suspects had become radicalized through internet sources. “According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalised via the internet,” he said. The 19-year-old had reportedly made “an oath of allegiance” to the so-called Islamic State in early July.
In Ternitz, where the 19-year-old resided, a significant police operation led to the evacuation of several nearby houses while authorities conducted a search of his residence. Chemical substances were discovered and are currently under examination.
Vienna’s head of police, Gerhard Pürstl, mentioned that the concerts were expected to draw 65,000 attendees daily, with an additional 22,000 fans anticipated outside the venue. The investigation into the security threat is ongoing.
Molly Surette, a fan from Leeds, UK, who had eagerly awaited Saturday’s concert with friends, expressed her disappointment over the cancellation. “When she first announced her European tours, I signed up [to try and get tickets] for as many dates as possible,” she told the BBC. “We’ve been looking forward to it ever since.”
Surette and her friends had been preparing friendship bracelets to exchange at the concert. “There’s been so much building up to this concert and what the Eras tour is as a unique event to even attend,” she said. “And I’m missing that. So I’m devastated. I guess I’ll be watching the recorded one! But I’m glad everyone is hopefully going to be safe.”