Three Taylor Swift shows have been cancelled following the arrest of two men in Austria for allegedly plotting a terror attack at the concert.
Authorities have confirmed that at least one of the men is a 19-year-old Austrian citizen. Franz Ruf, the director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior, announced on Aug. 7 that the men had been arrested but did not give any additional biographical information about the second man.
Franz told the media the men had been radicalized online and that the 19-year-old had allegedly pledged his allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State in early July. The public safety director-general further indicated that it was the 19-year-old who was specifically interested in the concert as the site of their attack.
Swift was scheduled to perform in Vienna on Aug. 8, Aug. 9, and Aug. 10 as part of her Eras Tour. Each show was expected to attract 65,000 attendees as well as 10,000 to 15,000 fans outside the Ernst Happel Stadium, per ABC News.
Although initially scheduled to continue with increased security checks, Austrian concert promoter Barracuda Music announced the three shows would be canceled.
"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," the organizers said in a statement, per Variety.
Terror attacks at large gatherings have been an increasing concern in Europe and North America. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England on May 22, 2017. In total, 22 people were killed and more than 100 people were injured in the attack. The perpetrator, 22-year-old Salman Abedi, returned to England from Libya four days before the attack.
The event prompted Swift’s team to overhaul their security protocols in 2018 during her Reputation tour.
“After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting, I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” Swift said during an interview, per The Sun. “My fear of violence has continued into my personal life. I carry QuikClot army grade bandage dressing, which is for gunshot or stab wounds.”
The arrest in Vienna comes days after three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England were fatally stabbed. Five other children and two adults were also injured. The attack has led to mass protests and civil unrest as well as the arrest of more than 100 people in London.
Swift released a statement the day after the attack, saying: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.
…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.
