Taylor Swift cancels Vienna concert over ISIS attack threat

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Taylor Swift announced the cancellation of the three-day concerts earlier scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Vienna over the threat of an Islamist attack, which was allegedly targeted to cause mayhem at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

The Austrian police disclosed on Wednesday that a 19-year-old was arrested with some chemical substances used for bomb-making, just about an hour drive to the stadium Taylor Swift had booked for the three-day concert, which anticipated more than 65000 attendees.

According to reports, the Islamic State (IS) group sympathiser had a “focus” on Swift’s upcoming shows, which had mandated the cancellation for safety sake. The concert organisers took to their Instagram handle to announce their willingness to refund all ticked paid by potential attendees, which numbered over 65000.

“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,” Barracuda Music said on Instagram.

Austria’s top security chief, Franz Ruf, told journalists that the Austrian citizen who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State’s new leader last month had been arrested and detained in Lower Austria. He also disclosed that the chemical substances had been seized and a thorough investigation had been ongoing around the area, leading to the evacuation of about 60 households.

Yesterday afternoon, the police apprehended a second suspect in Vienna. In the midst of an expanding investigation, the authorities refrained from disclosing the suspect’s age or gender. They stated, “Further detentions have also been carried out,” indicating that the scope of the investigation was widening.

“We have established corresponding preparatory acts, and the 19-year-old perpetrator is focused on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna,” Ruf said.

Authorities have confirmed that the two suspects were radicalized through online media. Law enforcement officials have also mentioned the significant role of social media in both the radicalization process of the suspects and the purported coordination of the planned attacks.

General Director for Public Security Franz Ruf informed reporters that the suspects communicated in encrypted form, making it difficult for routine counter-terror surveillance to intercept their conversations.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his disappointment on X (formally called Twitter), stating that “the cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organisers is a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria; he, however, added that it was necessary for the sake of safety.

He also appreciates the intensive cooperation between police and Austrian and foreign intelligence for their concerted effort to recognize the threat early enough and made solutions available to prevent the intended tragedy.