Famous American pop icon, Taylor Swift, was scheduled to take the stage at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on August 8, 9, and 10, as part of the European segment of her Eras Tour. Tickets for venues throughout the continent have been fully booked for several weeks.
Swift commenced the Eras Tour in March 2023, with the objective of conducting 152 concerts across five continents, showcasing popular songs from her 17-year career. The 34-year-old artist is projected to earn $2 billion from the tour by its conclusion in December.
But US superstar was forced to cancel three forthcoming concerts in Austrian capital, following the arrest of two individuals suspected of plotting terrorist attacks at these events.
Austrian law-enforcement officials detained a 19-year-old suspect who had pledged loyalty to the Islamic State (IS, commonly referred to as ISIS) in Ternitz, a town located south of Vienna. Subsequently, an additional suspect was arrested in Vienna.
The Director-General for public safety at the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, stated that the suspects were reportedly self-radicalized through online platforms, intended to carry out an attack in Vienna, and showed a specific interest in concerts by Swift.
Law-enforcement authorities have reported that the 19-year-old individual in question might have been in the process of constructing an explosive device. The chemical materials discovered at his residence are presently under investigation. The identities of the suspects have not yet been disclosed.
According to police reports, the show organizers anticipated an attendance of 65,000 concertgoers for each performance, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans expected to gather outside the venue. Vienna’s police chief stated that the associated risks warranted an increase in security measures.
Show promoter, Barracuda Music, announced on Instagram that, following confirmation from government officials regarding a potential terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, it is necessary to cancel the three upcoming shows to ensure the safety of all attendees. The statement further indicated that all ticket purchases will be automatically refunded within the next ten business days.
