Taylor Swift cancels all concerts in Vienna after planned terror attack foiled
Taylor Swift cancels all concerts in Vienna due to terror attack
PA
Taylor Swift has reportedly been forced to cancel all her upcoming concerts in Vienna, Austria, due to Government officials "confirming" a planned terror attack.
Barracuda Music posted on X: "Taylor Swift: The Era's Tour Vienna shows cancelled due to Government officials confirmation of planned terror attack.
"With confirmation from Government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium.
"We have no choice but to cancel three scheduled shows for everyone's safety.
"All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days." (sic)
It has been reported that Austrian authorities have arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly planning an Islamist attack in the Vienna region.
Taylor Swift is nearing the end of her Era's tour
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The man was detained in Lower Austria during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Austria’s top security chief, Franz Ruf, told a press conference: "We have established corresponding preparatory acts and also that there is a focus of the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna."
In addition to the 19-year-old, a second person believed to have been in contact with the suspect was arrested in Vienna.
Due to the ongoing threat, police measures have been stepped up in the region within the coming days.
Three concerts in Vienna have been cancelled
PA
About 65,000 spectators were expected to attend each show, with Ruf explaining there would be special forces on entry checks.
Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group just weeks before.
Despite authorities having assured the public and concertgoers that "a concrete threat has been averted", they warn that an "abstract threat" still exists.
The terror threat comes just one week after 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, from the Lancashire village of Banks, stabbed and killed three young girls.
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Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were all attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class when Rudakubana entered the building.
Swift took to her Instagram account to speak on the matter and said: "The horror of yesterday's attack in Southport 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.
"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."