Taylor Swift Concerts Canceled After Vienna Police Foil Terror Plot

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in Vienna have been canceled following the arrest of two individuals suspected of planning a major attack at one of the shows.

Austrian law enforcement apprehended the two suspects on Wednesday. One suspect, a 19-year-old man, had pledged allegiance to ISIS last month. He was arrested in Ternitz, about an hour south of Vienna, on Wednesday morning. The second suspect was detained in Vienna later that day.

Authorities reported that both men had become radicalized online and had specific plans to carry out an attack. The 19-year-old Austrian citizen was found with chemicals that a bomb squad is now investigating to determine their potential use in making explosives.

The concerts, initially scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, have been canceled. Initially, officials intended to proceed with heightened security measures, but the decision was ultimately made to prioritize safety.

“We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” said Barracuda Music, Swift’s management company, in a statement. “All tickets will be automatically refunded.”

Taylor Swift has not yet commented on the potential attack.

These arrests occurred just days after a tragic incident at a Taylor Swift-themed children’s dance class in Southport, England. In that attack, a mass stabbing resulted in the deaths of three children: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Additionally, five other children and two adults were seriously injured in the July 29 attack.

“The horror of yesterday’s attack is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock,” Swift said in a statement. “The loss of life and innocence and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”

“These were just little kids at a dance class,” she continued. “I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”