Taylor Swift cancels concerts in Vienna due to terrorist threat

World-famous American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift was forced to cancel three concerts on her "The Eras Tour" tour in Austria due to a confirmed terrorist threat.

The threat of a terrorist attack is in the spotlight

The music shows were supposed to take place on August 8, 9 and 10 at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion, but according to local police, a group of teenagers who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (ISIS) were planning the attack.

Strengthening of security measures

Initially, the promoters of the event planned to increase security measures, but after confirmation by law enforcement officers of a possible threat, the performances had to be canceled.

Arrest of suspects

According to the representatives of the police of the capital of Austria, they received information about the planning of a terrorist attack at one of Taylor Swift's concerts and closely followed the actions of the suspects. Director General of Public Security at the Ministry of the Interior, Franz Ruf, said that the attack was to be carried out by a 19-year-old boy together with his partner, who were members of the ISIS group.

Identifying components for a bomb

"The suspects were focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. We found that they took all the necessary steps to prepare for the attack, " explained Franz Ruf.

Law enforcement officers searched the house where the teenagers lived and arrested the perpetrators. The explosives experts found chemical substances in the room that could serve as components for a bomb.

Cancellation of concerts

The expert added that despite the fact that the potential threat was avoided, the Austrian authorities do not consider the concert to be safe, as the investigation into the accomplices of the crime continues. Because of this, the promoters of the 34-year-old pop singer's music show in Vienna had to announce the cancellation of the event on their social networks.

"Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour Vienna" concerts have been canceled due to confirmation by government officials of a planned terrorist attack at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows in the interest of public safety, " the statement said.

The organizers of the performance noted that all tickets will be automatically returned within the next 10 working days. About 65, 000 people were supposed to come to the concert every day.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova