Taylor Swift’s Vienna Concerts Cancelled Amid Security Concerns
In a shocking turn of events, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in Vienna have been abruptly cancelled following the arrest of two individuals suspected of planning a significant attack. Austrian law enforcement, both federal and local officers, acted swiftly on Wednesday to detain the two men. One of the suspects, a 19-year-old, had reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS just last month. This individual was apprehended in Ternitz, about an hour south of Vienna, while the second suspect was arrested in the capital later that day.
Authorities revealed that both men had been radicalised online and were formulating concrete plans to execute an attack. The 19-year-old Austrian citizen was found in possession of chemicals by a bomb squad, which are now being analysed to determine their potential use in creating explosives.
The concerts, scheduled to take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium, have been cancelled for safety reasons. Initially, officials planned to proceed with the events under heightened security, but the decision was later revised. Barracuda Music, the management company behind the concerts, issued a statement saying, “We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety. All tickets will be automatically refunded.”
This cancellation comes shortly after a tragic mass stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed children’s dance class in Southport, England. The attacker fatally wounded three young girls: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. The attack, which took place on 29th July, also left five other children and two adults seriously injured.
In response to the tragedy, Swift expressed her deep sorrow, stating, “The horror of yesterday’s attack is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock. The loss of life and innocence and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.” She added, “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
The recent events have undoubtedly cast a shadow over Swift’s tour, as fans and organisers alike grapple with the aftermath of these shocking incidents.
Find Eras Tour Dates here.
