Three upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, part of her Eras tour, have been cancelled due to a potential security threat. The shows were scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium.
The cancellations follow the arrest of two individuals suspected of planning attacks inspired by the Islamic State group on large events in the Austrian capital.
The concert organizers released a statement confirming the cancellation, citing the safety of everyone as their top priority. They assured that all tickets would be automatically refunded within the next 10 working days.
Austrian authorities, including the General Director for Public Security, Franz Ruf, detailed the arrests, explaining that a 19-year-old Austrian citizen was detained in Ternitz, Lower Austria, on Wednesday morning, and a second suspect was arrested in Vienna later that day.
The 19-year-old had allegedly pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State earlier in July, and a subsequent search of his home uncovered chemical substances that are currently under examination.
The large police operation in Ternitz involved the evacuation of nearby houses as a precautionary measure.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged the disappointment the cancellations would cause for fans but emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
He praised the swift actions of Austrian police and security agencies, along with their cooperation with international partners, which helped avert a potential tragedy.
Vienna’s police chief, Gerhard Pürstl, noted that the concerts were expected to draw 65,000 people daily, with an additional 22,000 fans outside the venue, underscoring the scale of the potential threat. Investigations into the incident are ongoing
