U.S. pop star Taylor Swift performs in Milan on July 13.


August 9, 2024 Tags:

The organizers of three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled the shows this week due to an alleged plot to attack an event in the area. The concerts, part of Swift’s Eras Tour, were scheduled at the Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Barracuda Music, the event organizer, announced on Instagram late Wednesday that the shows were canceled to ensure everyone’s safety. This decision followed government officials confirming a potential attack at the stadium.

Earlier on Wednesday, authorities arrested two suspected extremists, with one allegedly planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area. The primary suspect, a 19-year-old, was detained in Ternitz, south of Vienna, while the second suspect was apprehended in the Austrian capital.

Franz Ruf, public security director at Austria's Interior Ministry, stated that authorities were aware of preparatory actions for a possible attack, with the 19-year-old suspect focusing on the Taylor Swift concerts. The suspect, an Austrian citizen, had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and had become radicalized online. Authorities seized chemical substances, which are under evaluation.

Hours before the cancellations, authorities had announced increased security measures for the concerts, including more thorough entry checks. Vienna Police Chief Gerhard Purstl mentioned that while the concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk still warranted heightened security.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner praised the efforts of the country's police and intelligence service in ensuring safety. He noted that the decision to cancel the concerts was made by the organizer, in close coordination with foreign security authorities.

Barracuda Music assured that all tickets would be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days. This message was also posted on Swift’s official website. The Vienna stadium had sold out for the concerts, with an estimated 170,000 fans expected to attend.

Fans expressed their disappointment on social media, sharing their sadness over missing one of Swift’s performances. Many fans lamented the wasted effort in preparing friendship bracelets and selecting outfits for the event.

This incident recalls the tragic 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, where a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured over 100. An official inquiry later revealed that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, missed a crucial opportunity to prevent the bombing.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

How Timothée Chalamet transformed into Bob Dylan for 'A Complete Unknown'

NEW YORK — Playing a legend like Bob Dylan is no easy task, but Timothée Chalamet has spent nearly six....

"Blue Bloods" Bids Farewell After 14 Seasons with Shocking Twists

After 14 unforgettable seasons, Blue Bloods aired its final episode on Friday, delivering a mix of heartbreak, joy, and long-awaited....

100 Years of Raj Kapoor: The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema

Raj Kapoor, celebrated as the "greatest showman of Indian cinema," remains an eternal icon whose groundbreaking work continues to influence....

‘Malcolm in the Middle' Returns with Original Cast

A beloved sitcom is making its way back to screens as Malcolm in the Middle gears up for a fresh....

Does 'Kraven The Hunter' Have A Post-Credit Scene?

The long-awaited Kraven the Hunter movie, featuring a popular villain from the Spider-Man universe, finally hit theatres this week. Directed....

Gladys Knight Celebrates 80th Birthday with Heartfelt Gratitude

Legendary singer Gladys Knight, best known for her timeless hit "Midnight Train to Georgia," marked a major milestone in 2024....

Justin Bieber Opens Up About Lyme Disease and Media Criticism

In January 2020, pop sensation Justin Bieber shared a deeply personal update about his health, revealing that he had been....

Gabriel García’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” Now in Motion

Netflix continues its stellar streak in 2024 by adding a cinematic triumph to its repertoire—an ambitious adaptation of Gabriel García....

The Amazing Kreskin George Kresge Jr., Passed Away at Age 89

The Amazing Kreskin, a beloved mentalist who captivated television audiences for generations with his extraordinary mind-reading feats and uncanny predictions,....

Selena Gomez Engaged to Benny Blanco: ‘Forever Begins Now’

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco have been dating since June 2023 The announcement, shared via a carousel of photos, gave....

The Voice Season 26 Crowns New Champion! Find Out Who Won

Sofronio Vasquez, Shye, Jeremy Beloate, Sydney Sterlace, and Danny Joseph were among the finalists for Season 26 of The Voice.....

Jamie Foxx Opens Up About Stroke, Brain Bleed in New Comedy Special

Jamie Foxx recently opened up about the serious health scare he experienced last year during his new stand-up comedy special,....