Taylor Swift Vienna gigs pulled over terror threat

Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Austria have been cancelled due to a “planned terrorist attack”.

The Eras Tour was due to stop at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium from 8-10 August, but co-promoter Barracuda Music has announced the shows have now been called off.

The BBC reports that Austrian police arrested two people today (7 August) on suspicion of planning Islamist attacks on large events around Vienna, including the Eras concerts.

“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,” says a social media statement by CTS Eventim-backed Barracuda, which adds that all tickets will be refunded in the next 10 days.

Austrian police arrested two people on suspicion of planning attacks on large events around Vienna

A 19-year-old Austrian citizen was reportedly arrested on Wednesday morning in the town of Ternitz, with a second suspect arrested in Vienna this afternoon.

The general director for public security Franz Ruf said the 19-year-old is alleged to have made “an oath of allegiance” to Islamic State at the start of July.

“According to the current status of the investigation, the two suspects became radicalised via the internet,” said Ruf, who added that chemical substances had been found and were being analysed.

The concerts were due to be attended by around 65,000 fans, plus 22,000 people outside the venue. When news of the arrests first broke, it was initially announced the shows would go ahead with enhanced security measures.

London’s Wembley Stadium is scheduled to be the next stop on The Eras Tour, with Swift set to start a five-night run at the venue next Thursday (15 August).

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