Music powerhouse Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Austria, have been abruptly cancelled due to an alleged terrorist threat.
The concerts, scheduled for August 8th to 10th at the Ernst Happel Stadium, were called off after Austrian authorities arrested two men linked to a planned attack on the event.
The news was confirmed on Wednesday, August 7th, when Vienna’s head of police, Gerhard Pürstl, announced the arrests and detailed the nature of the threat.
Although immediate danger was reportedly “minimised,” Pürstl acknowledged that an “abstract danger” still loomed over the city, leading to the decision to cancel the concerts.
A statement from Barracuda Music, shared on Taylor Nation’s official Instagram Stories, emphasised the prioritisation of safety: “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.” Fans who purchased tickets will receive automatic refunds within the next 10 business days.
The arrests were the result of an intensive investigation in Ternitz, Austria. According to reports from the local publication Krone, authorities uncovered the plot and moved swiftly to detain the suspects.
Franz Ruf, security director of Austria’s interior ministry, provided further details during a press briefing. He revealed that one of the suspects, a 19-year-old, had allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, and both individuals had become radicalised via the internet. Detailed plans of the proposed attack were found, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.
Austrian police have ramped up security measures significantly, with increased surveillance and additional security personnel being deployed. However, they have not explicitly linked the heightened security to the recent arrests in Ternitz.
Despite the disruption in Vienna, Swift’s Eras Tour will continue, with the next set of concerts scheduled in London from August 15th to 20th. The cancellation of the Vienna shows underscores the persistent global threat of terrorism and the continuous efforts by authorities to safeguard public events and maintain security.
