Taylor Swift’s Vienna Concerts Canceled Amid Security Concerns

Officials announced arrests over an apparent plot to launch an attack on an event in the Vienna area.

BERLIN, Germany — Three Taylor Swift concerts scheduled in Vienna this week have been canceled due to security concerns following arrests made over an alleged attack plot targeting events in the Vienna area.

Swift was set to perform at Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Barracuda Music, the event organizer, issued a statement on Instagram late Wednesday explaining the cancellation. “We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” it read.

Two individuals, suspected of planning the attack, were apprehended on Wednesday. The main suspect, a 19-year-old, was arrested in Ternitz, while the second individual was detained in Vienna.

Franz Ruf, Austria’s public security director, revealed that they had identified “preparatory actions” for a possible attack. The 19-year-old suspect had a specific focus on Taylor Swift’s concerts, according to the Austria Press Agency.

The suspect, an Austrian citizen, had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group. Authorities believe he was radicalized online. Ruf mentioned that chemical substances were found and are currently being analyzed, but did not elaborate further.

Although the concerts have been canceled, heightened security measures will be in place for any future events. Ruf highlighted the importance of enhanced entry checks and advised attendees to allocate extra time for these procedures.

Vienna’s police chief, Gerhard Pürstl, stated that although the immediate threat has been reduced, the abstract risk justifies increased security precautions.